Hundreds of students and tribal activists staged widespread protests in Kokrajhar on Thursday against the Assam Cabinet’s decision to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six additional communities, officials said.
The All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), along with several tribal organisations, led a torchlight march through the town, carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding the withdrawal of the cabinet order. Organisers warned that extending ST benefits to new groups could dilute the constitutional safeguards, rights and opportunities of the existing tribal population.
The Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA), Tribal Sangha, Boro Samaj, and student bodies representing Rabha and Garo communities joined the agitation.
An ABSU spokesperson cautioned that the move “threatens the socio-political identity of current ST groups” and affirmed that the protests would continue until the government reconsidered its decision.
Earlier in the day, tension escalated on the Bodoland University campus, where students staged a sit-in and boycotted their third-semester final examinations to protest the Cabinet decision. Authorities were forced to postpone the tests as the students gathered at the main gate, demanding that the government revoke the ST extension for the six communities.
Also read: Assam moves forward on ST status demand for six communities
Students argued that including more groups in the ST list would directly impact education and job opportunities for existing tribal communities, while also undermining their socio-political influence.
The Cabinet, in its meeting on Wednesday, approved the Group of Ministers’ report recommending ST status for the Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes (Adivasis). Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said the Tribal Affairs Department will table the report in the assembly before the winter session concludes on Saturday.
Police confirmed that the rally in Kokrajhar concluded peacefully, with no untoward incidents reported, even as demonstrators continued to press for their demands.
The protests highlight long-standing tensions over ST status in Assam, as communities seek to safeguard their political and economic interests amid demands for inclusion of additional groups. Activists warned that any hasty expansion of the ST list could trigger further unrest in tribal-dominated districts if concerns are not addressed.
Authorities have maintained heightened security in the area and urged students and organisations to continue protests in a peaceful manner, emphasising dialogue with the government to resolve disputes.
Follow us
