Assam Assembly Sees Tensions Over Scheduled Tribe Status Demand

Imphal, India Jul 14, 2026 ALN: The long-pending demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for six communities triggered heated exchanges in the Assam Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, with the Opposition staging a walkout after expressing dissatisfaction with the government's response on the issue.

The matter dominated proceedings during the seventh day of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly Budget Session after Leader of the Opposition Wajed Ali Choudhury raised it during the Special Mention Hour under Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass. The demand for ST status has been a contentious issue in Assam, reflecting broader socio-political dynamics in the region.

Choudhury stated that the Adivasi Tea Tribe, Koch-Rajbongshi, Moran, Motok, Tai Ahom, and Chutia communities had been pursuing ST status for years through democratic means, including protests, memorandums, and demonstrations, but were yet to see any tangible progress. The quest for ST status is not merely a bureaucratic formality; it is seen as a critical step towards ensuring the rights and recognition of these communities, which have historically faced marginalization.

"These six communities were repeatedly assured that the process of granting ST status would be completed and they would receive their constitutional rights. However, the ground reality is completely different," he said. The demand for ST status is rooted in the communities' aspirations for better representation, access to government benefits, and protection of their cultural identity.

Seeking clarification from the government, Choudhury inquired about the current status of the proposal, the Centre's response, and when the recommendations of the Biplab Sharma Committee would be implemented. The Biplab Sharma Committee was formed to assess the eligibility of various communities for ST status and to recommend appropriate measures, but its recommendations have yet to be translated into concrete action, leading to frustration among the affected communities.

Replying on behalf of the government, Tribal Affairs (Plains) Minister Ranoj Pegu stated that the ministerial committee constituted to examine the issue had completed its work and submitted its report. This report was expected to provide clarity and a pathway forward, but its lack of immediate implementation has raised questions about the government's commitment to the issue.

"The committee examined various suggestions and amendment proposals before submitting its report in the Assembly. No changes were made to the core proposal relating to ST status, including recommendations concerning ST (Plains), ST (Hills), and reservation issues under the newly proposed ST (Valley) category," Pegu informed the House. The classification of communities into different categories such as ST (Plains) and ST (Hills) is significant as it determines the kind of benefits and protections they are entitled to under the law.

He added that the government later received representations from Moran and Motok organizations seeking corrections to their ethnographic descriptions. Based on records available with the Assam Institute for Research on Tribals and Scheduled Castes, those amendments were accepted. This indicates that there is an ongoing dialogue between the government and the communities, but the pace of progress remains a point of contention.

Pegu explained that the revised proposal could not be forwarded to the Centre immediately because the amendments coincided with the Assembly election process. "The Chief Minister has now approved the amendments, and the revised proposal will be sent to the Centre following due procedure," he said. The timing of political events, such as elections, often complicates the progress of such proposals, leading to accusations of neglect from opposition parties.

Referring to recent remarks by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Choudhury expressed concern that they had created uncertainty among the six communities regarding the future of the proposal. The Minister's comments seemed to suggest that the central government may not prioritize the proposal in the near future, which has been a source of anxiety for those advocating for ST status.

In response, Pegu clarified that Oram had not rejected the demand. "The Union minister only stated that there is a low probability of the Bill being introduced in the upcoming Lok Sabha session. The proposal itself has not been rejected," he emphasized. However, this clarification failed to convince the Opposition, whose members repeatedly pressed the government on when the proposal would be tabled in Parliament.

As the Speaker proceeded to the next item of business, Opposition legislators rose from their seats and walked out of the House in protest. This act of dissent signifies the deep-rooted frustrations that have been building over the years regarding the ST status issue. The walkout reflects a broader sentiment among various political factions that the government is not adequately addressing the needs and rights of marginalized communities.

Speaking to the press outside the Assembly, Choudhury accused both the state and central governments of “lacking the political will” to fulfill the long-standing demand. "The government is not interested in granting ST status because the Union Tribal Affairs Minister has already indicated that the matter will not come up in the forthcoming Lok Sabha session. We are not satisfied with the state government's reply, and therefore we staged a walkout," he stated. This sentiment resonates with many community members who feel that their voices are not being heard in the political arena.

Raijor Dal president and MLA Akhil Gogoi also criticized the BJP-led government, alleging that it had no intention of extending tribal status to the six communities. "Today's Assembly proceedings have made it clear that the BJP-led government will not grant ST status to the six communities, or to the Kalita and Nath-Yogi communities. We demand that the Centre immediately fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance on granting tribal status," Gogoi asserted. The reference to Prime Minister Modi's assurance highlights the expectations that have been built around political promises, further intensifying community demands for accountability.

With the government reiterating that the revised proposal would be sent to the Centre, the Opposition maintained that the response failed to provide a clear timeline for granting ST status. The lack of a definitive timeline is particularly troubling for communities that have waited for years, as it leaves them in a state of uncertainty regarding their future rights and recognition. The issue of ST status is emblematic of larger struggles for identity, representation, and rights among various groups in Assam, making it a focal point of political discourse in the region.

In conclusion, the ongoing debate over Scheduled Tribe status for the six communities in Assam reflects the complexities of governance, identity politics, and the historical context of marginalization in the region. As the government prepares to send the revised proposal to the Centre, the coming weeks and months will be critical in determining whether the aspirations of these communities will be met or if their demands will continue to be sidelined in the political landscape of Assam and India as a whole.