The Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) has alleged that State Bank of India’s digital banking software does not allow customers belonging to Scheduled Tribes (ST) and identifying as Christian to select both categories while opening bank accounts or updating their KYC details.
According to the forum, selecting “Christian” under the religion option in SBI’s digital banking applications, including YONO, disables the option to select “Scheduled Tribe (ST)”. Applicants are then allegedly directed to the “General” category.
The ACF has described the alleged software behaviour as potentially discriminatory and has asked SBI to investigate the matter and correct the system within 15 days. The forum has also warned that it could launch protests, including a gherao of SBI branches across Arunachal Pradesh, if the issue is not addressed.
The forum submitted a representation to the SBI regional manager in Itanagar on October 5, seeking an explanation for the alleged classification.
The ACF argued that a person’s Scheduled Tribe status in Arunachal Pradesh is not determined by religious affiliation and said a valid ST certificate should continue to be recognised irrespective of whether the holder is Christian or follows another religion.
“The State Bank of India is not the competent authority to de-list a tribal Christian customer who possesses a valid ST certificate. SBI cannot automatically classify a tribal Christian under the General category solely based on their declared religion,” the forum said.
The organisation has urged SBI to examine its customer onboarding and KYC systems to determine whether the alleged classification is the result of a technical or software-related issue. It has also sought clarification on whether any law, regulation or Reserve Bank of India directive permits such a system of classification.
The forum has specifically asked the bank to modify the software logic if necessary so that religion and Scheduled Tribe status are not treated as mutually exclusive categories. It has also sought appropriate instructions for SBI branches operating across Arunachal Pradesh.
The ACF has demanded a written response from the bank within 15 days detailing the corrective measures proposed or taken. It said failure to resolve the issue could lead to further action at SBI branches across the state.
The allegation comes amid an ongoing debate in Arunachal Pradesh over the relationship between religious identity and Scheduled Tribe status. In May, the ACF had opposed demands to remove ST status from tribal communities on the basis of religion, maintaining that tribal recognition is linked to indigenous identity and constitutional criteria rather than religious affiliation.
Official Census data separately records Scheduled Tribe populations in Arunachal Pradesh by religious community, including Christians, indicating the presence of Christians within the state’s ST population.
SBI’s response to the allegations made by the Arunachal Christian Forum was not immediately available. The issue is now likely to depend on the bank’s examination of its digital banking and KYC systems and any clarification it provides on the alleged classification.
