Scheduled Tribe (ST) or no ST? The ruling BJP in poll-bound Assam finds itself ensnared in a political bind of its own making, as the long-promised reclassification of six ethnic communities resurfaces with renewed urgency and sharpened public anger. First raised years ago and amplified during previous campaigns, the demand has returned to dominate the political conversation as organisations representing these groups have once again taken to the streets.
The organisations comprise communities currently listed as Other Backward Classes (OBCs), each pushing for elevated recognition through ST status. They accuse the ruling party of failing to honour assurances given during earlier election cycles, arguing that the unmet promise now threatens their socio-economic advancement.
The protests have emerged at a delicate moment for the government, which is contending with both anti-incumbency and growing disillusionment among communities it once actively courted. Representatives of the six ethnic groups say their confidence in the administration has eroded with each passing year, despite repeated pledges of consideration.
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The agitation carries substantial electoral implications. Its timing, coinciding with the approach of the next assembly elections, has prompted speculation that the stir may influence sizeable voting blocs, particularly in regions where identity-based politics remains a decisive factor.
Political analysts note that ST status in Assam is far from symbolic, it carries tangible benefits through reservations in education and public employment. For the communities pressing the demand, these advantages have remained inaccessible, deepening long-standing grievances. Previous assurances to examine reclassification now hang heavily over the ruling party’s campaign narrative, threatening to undermine its prospects if no concrete step follows.
While constitutional and administrative procedures for granting ST status remain complex, further delay risks alienating voters whose frustration is increasingly vocal. The protests serve as a reminder that political support, especially in ethnically sensitive areas, cannot be assumed.
With the election clock ticking, the ruling party faces a stark dilemma: deliver on its assurances or confront rising dissatisfaction that could reshape Assam’s electoral landscape.
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