Today Assam Govt approved ST status to 6 communities after decades of demand
On 27th Nov 2025,The Assam Cabinet approved the Group of Minster report recommending the inclusion of
But the question remains
Is the decision based on anthropological study, historical identity or just a political stunt for upcoming election 2026??
These communities never been recognized as tribes by any government, antropological study nor they possess any tribal characteristics..
So why to include these socio-ecomonically strong and large community under same category which is meant for vulnerable groups .
These communities are already advanced and highly populous ,they do not fit to be called as tribe , nor we will accept them.
I'm not against any community their demands and struggle matter too.
The Constitution under article 342 clearly states that only the President after consultation with Governor can specify tribes based on identity culture, trait etc.
Not on basis of vote bank size
Even their community deserve recognition, dignity protection, the issue can be resolve by providing protection and privilege in another appropriate manner not by affecting the existing rights of indigenous ones..
We have the rights to protect our identity as guaranteed under Constitution.
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On Wednesday the Assam Cabinet approved the report of the Group of Ministers headed by Ranoj Pegu granted Scheduled Tribe status to six communities in the state. The report will be tabled during the ongoing assembly session.
This approval was granted in a special cabinet meeting held on Wednesday evening to deliberate on the issue.
These 6 communities, which are currently part of the state’s Other Backward Classes list and comprise around 27% of Assam’s population – the Tai Ahoms, tea tribes or Adivasis, Moran, Motok, Chutia and Koch-Rajbongshi – have long been agitating for the grant of ST status, and organisations of all six communities have been holding mass demonstrations in the past two months, building pressure on the government ahead of the upcoming elections.
Earlier in 2019 a bill proposing to include these 6 communities in Assam’s ST list was introduced in the Rajya Sabha but was neither discussed nor passed. Based on the Home Ministry directions, the Group of Ministers was constituted that year – and reconstituted twice since – “to determine quantum of reservation for six communities in the State, suggest revised quantum of reservation for OBCs after creation of a new ST category in Assam and measures ensuring full safeguard to protect the interests, rights and privileges of the existing Scheduled Tribes of Assam”.