Context:
Government of Bodoland Territorial Region in Assam has granted official recognition to Bathouism in Religion Column.
Bathousim:
- Traditional religion of the Bodos
- The term “Bathou” combines the Bodo words ‘Ba’ (five) and ‘thou’ (deep philosophical thought).
- Faith is grounded in 5 elements – Bar (Air), San (Sun), Ha (Earth), Or (Fire), and Okhrang (Sky).
- Bwrai Bathou is revered as the supreme deity.
- Sijou plant (Euphorbia splendens) is central to the Bathou faith.
- It symbolizes life and the soul and is considered a living representation of Bathoubwrai, the supreme god.
Bodos:
- Single largest community among the notified Scheduled Tribes in Assam.
- Part of the larger umbrella of Bodo-Kachari group
- Constitute about 5-6% of Assam’s population.
- Concentrated in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR)
- BTR is governed by Bodoland Territorial Council established under the 6th Schedule of the constitution.
- Language – Bodo which is part of the Tibeto-Burman language family
- Bodo Peace Accord (2020) – Signed between the Centre, state government of Assam and Bodo Groups.
Source: DTE
Previous Year Question
With reference to the religious practices in India, the “Sthanakvasi” sect belongs to
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2018 Prelims]
(a) Buddhism
(b) Jainism
(c) Vaishnavism
(d) Shaivism
Answer: (b)