The All Assam Tribal Sangha (AATS) has raised significant concerns regarding the Central Government’s proposal to confer Scheduled Tribe (ST) status on six communities in Assam: the Tai Ahom, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi, Chutia, and Tea Tribes. This initiative, according to the AATS, threatens the rights and identity of established tribal communities already recognized under existing laws.
During an executive meeting held at the Tribal Rest House in Paltanbazar, Guwahati, and chaired by Sukumar Basumatary, the assembly denounced the proposal as a “dangerous political conspiracy” orchestrated by both Central and State governments, aimed at gaining short-term electoral support.
The organization has called for the immediate withdrawal of the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2019, warning that they would initiate statewide protests if the proposal moves forward. The AATS contends that granting ST status to these communities, which are already socially, educationally, and economically advanced, would enable them to compete for Assembly and Parliamentary seats reserved for genuine tribal representatives. This, they argue, could undermine political representation for indigenous tribes over time.
Moreover, the AATS cautioned that this decision could restrict access to education, employment, and self-governance for existing tribal populations. They referenced a precedent from 1996, where the temporary inclusion of the Koch-Rajbongshi community in the ST (Plains) list resulted in a member of their community winning a reserved Assembly seat in Majuli and dominating other reserved positions in professional institutions.
While the AATS stated that it does not oppose the advancement of these six communities, they firmly declared they would “resist at any cost” any actions that jeopardize the rights and survival of Assam’s indigenous Scheduled Tribes. The organization urged the Central and State governments to provide clarity on how these six communities can be included without adversely affecting the interests of established tribes. They emphasized that any unilateral action would provoke a robust and unified response across the state.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/assam-tribal-body-opposes-st-status-plan-for-six-communities.html
Category: Assam,Northeast News,Top News,ST Status,Tribal
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Publish Date: 2025-10-12 12:01:00
