ASSAM: Amid the protests rocking the state of Assam due to the death case of Zubeen Garg, the issue of the ongoing demand for the Scheduled Tribes status has taken centre stage. The six communities seeking ST status are Tai Ahom, tea tribes or Adivasis, Moran, Motok, Chutia, and Koch Rajbongshi. They are a part of the state’s Other Backward Classes (OBC) list at present, comprising around 27% of its population. Their demand for ST status gathers steam ahead of every state and national election, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself having raised it while campaigning in Assam before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Thousands of people from Assam’s tea tribe and Adivasi communities staged a massive protest rally in Dibrugarh, demanding immediate inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, an increase in daily wages, and legal land allotments. Protesters from across Dibrugarh district marched from four key locations to the Chowkidinghee intersection, leading to major traffic congestion during peak hours. The rally was organised jointly by the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS), Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA), All Adivasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA), 36 Janajati Parishad and Chah Jonogustiyo Jatiya Mahasabha. Speaking to TSG, the members who took part in the rally raised voices for the ST demand.
“Despite being one of the largest communities in the state, we remain the most deprived. The BJP has used our support to win elections, yet it fails to deliver justice. We want the ST status to get the development benefits for our society,” said a tea leader at the rally.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that those protesting seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) are genuine and even BJP workers will join the protest for this is genuine demand. Organized by the Assam Tea Tribe Students Association (ATTSA) and the All-Adivasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA), Sarma visited Tinsukia on Wednesday to take part in several programmes. Sarma said, “There will be a protest for genuine demand. Those protesting seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) are genuine. BJP is also supporting the demand for ST. Even workers of BJP will participate in the protest”.
Another issue which has been picked up at the ST status is of political nature. Many who have raised the issue believe that if the ST status is given to the six communities, then Assam will become a tribal state which will help the indigenous people and also will provide them with political reservation. Speaking exclusively with TSG, Milan Borgohain of All Assam Tai Ahom Students Union (ATASU) reflected the same emotions. “Our political and land rights will be safeguarded and if these 6 communities are given tribal status. We will become a tribal state and once we become tribal state, our issues such as illegal students’ union will end,” added Borgohain.
Last month a four day long economic blockade launched by the Moran community paralysed large parts of Upper Assam. Organised by the All-Moran Students Union (AMSU) in association with several other Moran organisations, the agitation seeks ST status and inclusion of the community under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
