The district committee of the Tamil Nadu Tribal People’s Association has urged the Union government to identify tribal people separately as Adivasis during the forthcoming Census and not classify them under any religious category. A resolution to this effect was adopted at the district committee meeting held in Sathyamangalam on Monday (June 15, 2026).

The meeting was presided over by the district president, K. Ramasamy in which State functionary V.P. Gunasekaran and district office-bearers S. Mohankumar and S. John, among others, participated.

The association said that Adivasis, or indigenous tribal communities, followed distinct social and cultural practices that did not fall within conventional caste or religious classifications. Classifying them under any caste or religious identity would be contrary to constitutional provisions and court rulings, it said. The meeting resolved to launch a postcard campaign to the President of India till June 30, urging that tribal people be enumerated under a separate “Adivasi” category in the Census.

In another resolution, the association alleged that the Forest Department was denying rights guaranteed under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, by citing procedures and communications that were not in accordance with the law. The association said the Act permitted the use of up to 2.5 acres of forest land for creating 13 categories of basic infrastructure in tribal habitations and allowed the removal of up to 75 trees, if necessary, for such projects. It added that approvals could be processed at the level of the District Forest Officer within seven months.

Demanding that the Forest Department refrain from actions that were contrary to the provisions of the Act, the association urged the authorities to facilitate diversion of forest land for development works in accordance with the Forest Rights Act, 2006.