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The question of religion of Adibasi is coming back again. Sure, they do not have a holy book like Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Ishai but that does mean they have no religion. They do have a religion which is their way of life and is followed by them. They believe in one Almighty Creator whatever you call HIM and worship the beautiful things of the nature. But certainly they are not Hindu and their religion is not an organised one like Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. They were already in India when the Aryans came to India.If there is any similarity of certain aspects of their religion, they are due to influence of the stronger communities as it happens to any society.
Dhuni Soren
I would like to add a bit to Apurba Barua's observation that the adivasis are losing their culture to Christianity and not to Hindutva. Tribals, usually, all over the world follow an animistic religion which is more magical and ritualistic than metaphysical and a spiritual one. Hence tribal religions are not mystical. Since tribal religions are without institutions and texts they are neither Hinduistic nor Semitic. Any form of religion for the more complex societies are in any case unsuitable for tribals whether it is Hinduism or Christianity. Therefore, to say that Christianity would alienate the Adivasis more than Hinduism is thus a non-issue since it does not matter to the Adivasis which religion they follow outside their own.
As far as Apurba's own sentiments as a Hindu (and not a Hindutva) is concerned, he feels hurt that if Hinduism (not Hindutva) is not the preferred religion of the Adivasis. He feels that the choice of Christianity blocks the chances of Adivasi integration into the Hindu society.
Fine, but then there are certain issues here as well. Firstly, Hinduism believes in the caste system and the Adivasis can only occupy a Dalit's status, which they do in many cases. Secondly, while Hinduism will make them unequal social partners, Christianity may help them integrate into a global network and improve their social capital.
Susmita Dasgupta