Adivasis are Hindus: Law Minister cites Protection of Civil Rights Act

Sub: Polity

Sec: legislation in news

Context:

Union Minister of State (I/C) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal has told in Lok Sabha that

Adivasis have been included as persons professing the Hindu religion in the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955.

What is the Protection of Civil Rights Act?

It is also known as the PCR Act 1955, the Protection of Civil Rights Act aimed to enforce the constitutional provision of abolition of untouchability, as stated in Article 17.
The act’s key purpose is to make certain that every citizen, irrespective of caste, creed, or race, enjoys civil rights without any hindrance.
Section 4 of the Act stipulates the punishment for enforcing social disabilities on the grounds of “untouchability”.

What is section 3 of Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955?

Definition of Hindus:
- Section 3 of the Act states that the Persons professing the Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina religion or persons professing the Hindu religion in any of its forms or developments including Virashaivas, Lingayats, Adivasis, followers of Brahmo, Prarthana, Arya Samaj and the Swaminarayan Sampraday shall be deemed to be Hindus.

How are Scheduled Tribes defined in India?

Article 366 (25) of the Constitution of India defined scheduled tribes as “such tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under Article 342 to be Scheduled Tribes for this constitution”.
Article 342 prescribes the procedure to be followed in the matter of specification of scheduled tribes.