The Assam government has decided to initiate discussions with organisations protesting the recent report on granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities, following days of demonstrations across the state. The recommendations—concerning Tai-Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes (Adivasis)—were tabled in the assembly, triggering concerns among several existing tribal groups.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing the media after a cabinet meeting, said the government was aware of the apprehensions voiced by various organisations, particularly the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA), which has been spearheading the agitation. He noted that certain groups may have misunderstood aspects of the report. “We discussed the report on granting ST status to six communities and the developments surrounding it. We have noticed that some people, especially CCTOA, have not read the report properly but commented on it in the media,” the Chief Minister said.
Sarma reiterated that the proposed recommendations would not harm existing ST communities. He stated that the three-member cabinet committee would invite the CCTOA for a detailed discussion to clarify any misinterpretations. “The cabinet believes that this report will facilitate the path to grant ST status to the six communities and will not affect the existing tribal communities,” he said. He added that if required, he would personally meet protest leaders to further address their concerns.
A key part of the proposal is the introduction of a three-tier classification within the ST reservation system. This structure aims to accommodate the six communities while ensuring that the reservation benefits currently available to recognised ST groups remain untouched. “Maybe the report was not read properly. We believe that once the three-member cabinet committee explains the report, these apprehensions will also go away,” Sarma said, emphasising that existing ST groups would not face “a single per cent damage.”
Responding to criticism from the opposition, especially the Congress, the Chief Minister invited constructive suggestions, noting that the state government still has time before forwarding the report to the Centre. “If the Congress has any suggestions, they can give them to us. We will definitely consider any positive suggestions. There is no timeline,” he said. Sarma also pointed out an apparent shift in the Congress’s position, remarking, “The Congress has so far been with the six communities. From yesterday, they made a U-turn. That is why I have asked for their suggestions.”
The government’s outreach is expected to continue over the coming days as it works to address public concerns and build consensus around the long-pending issue of ST status inclusion.
