'Don't Make Tribals Wear Cross': BJP Slams Congress Leader Over 'Adivasis Not Hindus' Remark

Last Updated:September 05, 2025, 19:29 IST

While addressing a tribal community event in Chhindwara on Wednesday, Singhar said, "Garv se kaho hum adivasi hain, Hindu nhi"

Madhya Pradesh Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar. (Image via X/@UmangSinghar)

A political row has erupted in Madhya Pradesh after Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar said that Adivasis are not Hindus and should take pride in their tribal identity. The remark drew sharp criticism from the BJP, which accused the Congress leader of conspiring to convert tribals to Christianity.

While addressing a tribal community event in Chhindwara on Wednesday, Singhar said, “Garv se kaho hum adivasi hain, Hindu nhi (Say with pride we are tribal, not Hindus). I have been saying this for many years."

After facing sharp criticism, Singhar, himself a tribal from the Bhil community, the largest in Madhya Pradesh, defended his remark and further accused the BJP and RSS of trying to erase tribal identity and assimilate them into Hinduism.

“The BJP always diverts from real issues. The Tribal community has its own traditions and culture, just like Sikhs, Buddhists, or Jains. For 16 years, I’ve been performing Ganesh Visarjan in my region. Then why is the BJP so intent on targeting Adivasis and why are they trying to include them into Hinduism?," Singhar noted.

He also pointed that the tribal community has existed for thousands of years, long before the BJP was formed, which is why the United Nations designated 9 August as the Day of Indigenous Peoples.

Attacking the BJP and RSS, Singhar said, “If they truly care for Adivasis, then why don’t they appoint an Adivasi as their Sarsanghchalak? Why have they never been appointed in all these years?."

He further stated that the Indian Constitution recognises Adivasis as a distinct community with separate rights, traditions, and legal protections outside of Hindu personal law. “If the BJP disagrees, are they trying to rewrite the Constitution or override Supreme Court rulings?" he asked.

BJP Reacts

Reacting strongly to Singhar’s remarks, BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma accused the Congress leader of trying to convert tribals to Christianity.

“Don’t conspire to make tribals wear a cross just to please Sonia Gandhi," Sharma said. “Remember that India’s culture and civilization have thrived in the womb of the tribal community. In this land, Lord Ram himself ate the berries offered by Shabari and addressed her as mother. This is the essence of India’s sanatan traditions and civilization, which the Adivasis have proudly embraced and followed to till date."

Sharma further said that tribals have made great sacrifices for India and follow the values of leaders like Birsa Munda. “You should not attempt to mislead the Adivasis. Do not commit this sin, Umang ji. Adivasis are followers of Sanatan culture, they worship trees, they worship the waters of rivers, and that is the essence of Indian culture and civilization," he warned.

“No matter how hard you try, the Adivasi of India will never wear a cross around his neck; they will always hail the Sanatan, Birsa Munda, they will not become Christian. As much as you are plotting to convert the tribals to Christianity, don’t commit this sin Umang Singhar ji, otherwise you will regret it. India will become angry with you," he added.

(With inputs from ANI)

News politics 'Don't Make Tribals Wear Cross': BJP Slams Congress Leader Over 'Adivasis Not Hindus' Remark

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