Guwahati, 6th March: Members of the All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (Aasaa) staged a protest in the Tingkhong area of Dibrugarh district on Tuesday, advocating for the inclusion of Adivasis in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list. The demonstration aimed to challenge the current classification of Adivasis under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, unlike their counterparts in other states like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tripura, and West Bengal, who enjoy ST status.
Led by Aasaa Dibrugarh district secretary Mithu Raaj Kisku, the protest garnered support from tea garden workers. Kisku stressed that Assam’s Adivasi population, numbering around 60 lakhs, should be granted ST status, given their tribal characteristics and significant contributions to the state’s economy and political stability. He expressed dissatisfaction with the current classification, which categorizes Adivasis in Assam as tea tribes and ex-tea tribes, denying them their rightful tribal status.
Kisku highlighted that less than half of Assam’s Adivasi population works in tea gardens, with the majority engaged in agricultural activities and other occupations. Aasaa demands the inclusion of Adivasi people in the ST category, considering their diverse sub-groups, including Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Kharia, Gond, Lodha, Saora, Parja, Bhil, Danwar, Khond, Kherwar, Birhor, Bonda, Chik-Baraik, Kawar, Baiga, Halba, Adur, Birjia, Chero, Mahali, Mirdha, Kol, Gorait, Nagasia, Korwa, Koya, Bhumij, Sobor, Ho, Kissan, Mal Paharia, Lohar, and Kamar.
Despite promises by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2014 and 2016 election campaigns to grant ST status to six communities in Assam, including Adivasis, Tai Ahom, Moran, Motok, Sootea, and Koch Rajbongshi, no progress has been made in the last decade. The Aasaa leader stressed that the denial of ST status has led to disparities in opportunities and stripped the Adivasi community in Assam of their tribal identity and constitutional rights.
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