Bathou Religion Gets Separate Census Code in Assam

In a landmark move ahead of the upcoming national census, the Bathou religion, practiced by the Bodo community of Assam, has been granted a separate code—a first-time recognition of its religious identity at the national level. This official acknowledgment marks a significant step toward preserving and promoting the cultural and spiritual heritage of one of Northeast India’s most prominent indigenous groups.

The Bathou religion is an ancient spiritual practice centered around the worship of nature and the five fundamental elements—earth, water, fire, air, and sky.

The faith emphasizes harmonious coexistence with nature, and its rituals are deeply embedded in the Bodo people’s everyday lives.

Instructions for Census Enumerators

• To ensure accurate documentation of religious data, the Registrar General of India has issued specific instructions to census enumerators.
• Enumerators are now required to record the religion exactly as stated by respondents, without altering or reclassifying them under broad categories.
• This protocol ensures that all minority, tribal, and regional faiths—including Bathou—are fairly and distinctly represented in census data.
• This directive was officially communicated to Sarada Prasad Mashahari, Chairman of the Bathou Traditional and Cultural Centre in Kokrajhar, a key institution advocating for the religion’s recognition.