Assam CM Calls Tribal Groups for Talks Amid ST Status Dispute
Guwahati language: On Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s assurance that he will hold talks with tribal youths who oppose the state’s proposal to grant scheduled tribe status to six communities, regional political party Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) leader Lurinjyoti Gogoi on Monday questioned the BJP government’s resolve on granting ST status.
Calling the proposal a mere “political lollipop” to win the votes of these communities once again, Mr. Gogoi said, “If the BJP had been sincere in its approach to grant ST status to the six communities, it could have been resolved by now. This is nothing but a political ploy by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to fool people from these six communities to get votes in the 2026 assembly elections.”
“Why does the BJP need more than three rule stipulations to fulfill its commitment to grant ST status to six communities in the state? Let them give a specific timeline to fulfill its commitment,” Mr. Gogoi said.
As the existing Scheduled Tribes in Assam oppose the recommendation of the Group of Ministers (GoM) tabled in the state assembly, Assam development minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Sunday night that his government is willing to invite those protesting the report on granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities to discuss the GoM report recommending tribal status for six communities.
Mr. Sarma told reporters: “In today’s state cabinet meeting, we reviewed the report of the Group of Ministers on granting ST status to six communities and the latest developments surrounding the issue. The Cabinet is of the view that this report paves the way for extending ST status to six communities without affecting the rights or interests of existing ST groups. The Cabinet decided that Ministers Ranoj Pegu, Keshab Mahanta and Pijush Hazarika will meet with the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organizations of Assam (CCTOA) and check any wrongdoing.” “Explain the report in detail to avoid misunderstanding, and I am ready to meet with the CCTOA,” he said.
Tensions escalated on Saturday when protesting students stormed the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) secretariat in Kokrajhar and expressed their opposition to the proposals.
Meanwhile, Assam Congress president and Lok Sabha deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi also stated that he supports the Indian National Congress’s claim that six indigenous communities in Assam should be declared as STs without affecting the rights and privileges of existing ST communities. However, he was skeptical about the intentions of the BJP government.
