They are scattered across India and fragmented into hundreds of clans, with different legends, languages and words for their gods — many, but not all follow Sarna Dharma. Salkhan Murmu, a former lawmaker and community activist who adheres to Sarna Dharma, is at the center of the protests pushing for government recognition. His message: If Sarna Dharma disappears, one of the country’s last links to its early inhabitants goes with it. ‘IDENTITY CRISIS’Some hope giving Sarna Dharma official status could stem their faith’s existential threats, ranging from migration to religious conversions. The gradual embrace of Hindu and Christian values by some indigenous tribal groups has exacerbated his concerns.
