Assam: AATS opposes ST status for Six Assam communities

The All Assam Tribal Sangha (AATS) has strongly opposed the Central Government’s proposal to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities of Assam—Tai Ahom, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi, Chutia, and Tea Tribes. The organisation warned that such a move could harm the rights and identity of the state’s existing tribal groups.

During an executive meeting at the Tribal Rest House in Paltanbazar, Guwahati, chaired by president Sukumar Basumatary, the AATS criticised the proposal, calling it a “political strategy” by the Central and State governments aimed at gaining votes. The Sangha demanded that the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2019, be withdrawn immediately and warned of statewide protests if the government pushes ahead with it.

According to the AATS, the six communities being considered for ST status are already socially and economically advanced. Granting them ST status, it said, would reduce the political space and representation of existing tribal groups. The organisation expressed fear that members of these communities might contest elections for Assembly and Parliamentary seats reserved for STs, eventually pushing genuine tribal groups to the margins.

The AATS further stated that the move could limit existing tribes’ access to education, jobs, and local self-governance opportunities. Referring to a past incident, it recalled how the temporary inclusion of the Koch-Rajbongshi community in the ST (Plains) list in 1996 had led to one of its members winning the ST-reserved Majuli Assembly seat and taking up several reserved positions in educational institutions.

While the Sangha said it supports the development of the six communities, it made clear that it would strongly oppose any step that threatens the future and rights of Assam’s recognised tribes. It urged both the Central and State governments to clarify how such inclusion could be carried out without hurting the interests of the existing ST communities.

The AATS warned that if the government goes ahead unilaterally with the proposal, it would trigger a widespread and united movement across Assam to defend tribal rights.