Thousands of members of Assam’s Chutia community gathered for a torchlight protest in Dhemaji district on the evening of October 29, demanding immediate inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. Demonstrators from various parts of Upper Assam converged in Dhemaji town, waving burning torches and chanting “No ST, No Rest.”
This demonstration was organized by five prominent Chutia organizations: Chutia Yuva Sanmilan, Chutia Yuva Parishad, Chutia Jati Sanmilan, Chutia Jati Mahila Sanmilan, and Chutia Jati Chatra Sangstha. Their collective voice underscored a long-standing issue; as addressed by Pinku Chutia, the president of Chutia Yuva Sanmilan Dhemaji. He stated, “We have been demanding ST status since 1979. We possess all the features of Scheduled Tribes, yet we remain neglected.” He emphasized that the Chutia community, present throughout Assam, including in Barak Valley, boasts a unique culture, cuisine, traditional attire, and language that merit tribal recognition.
The push for ST status is part of a sustained movement involving six major communities in Assam-Moran, Motok, Chutia, Tai-Ahom, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes. Despite numerous promises from political leaders, the issue remains unresolved. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has recently announced that the report from the Group of Ministers (GoM) regarding the granting of ST status to these communities will be presented during the upcoming winter session of the Assam Assembly, starting November 25.
Similar protests are gaining traction across Assam. On October 28, members of the Tai-Ahom community organized a torchlight rally in Charaideo, while earlier protests were held by tea-tribe workers and Motok groups in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, and Sadiya in the preceding months.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/chutia-community-holds-massive-torchlight-rally-in-dhemaji-demanding-st-status-1296973-2025-10-30?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-10-30 08:05:00
