The chief minister of Chhattisgarh said the tribe was “the biggest Hindu”. Baghel dismisses claim

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and his former and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel debate whether members of the tribal community are practicing Hindus.

When Mr Sai spoke at a religious event on Sunday (20 April 2025), Mr Begil refuted the request by claiming that the tribe is the largest Hindus, saying that the Chief Minister should read the Constitution.

Speaking at Dharma Raksha Mahayagya and Sanatan Sanskriti Sammelan in Raipur, the Chief Minister said that in the tribal areas of the state, there is a culture of worshipping symbols in the form of Indian deities, Lord Shiva and Parvati.

” …our adivasis is the largest Hindus, but has been worshipped since ancient times [symbols] In the form of Mahadev and Parvati. In Gond [a tribe]- Grocery area, they call [them] Gauri-gaura, they are also Shiva-Parvati,” he said.

In response to the statement, Mr. Bagel said that the Constitution grants tribes a special status [in public institutions and political representation].

“ Vishnu Deo SaiJI He is busy calling Hindus, and he should read the Constitution. A tribe has been given a separate status in the Constitution, and if that status is abolished, then the reservation to the tribe will end. So, first decide this, read the Constitution first, and then make a statement. ” he told Presspersons on Monday.

He added that if the tribal community starts writing about Hindus, they will stop bookings.

According to the 2011 census, the tribal share of the population in Chhattisgarh was 30.62%, respectively, and the population was concentrated in the Bastari region of North Chhattisgarh and North Chhattisgarh.