Assam guarded on ST status to 6 groups

Assam is guarded about the BJP-led NDA’s decision to deliver its Lok Sabha poll promise of granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities including Adivasis (‘tea tribes’), regarded a traditional Congress vote bank.

The move is aimed at making Assam a tribal majority state towards protecting the indigenous communities from a perceived demographic threat from illegal Bangladeshi migrants.

“The file related to granting ST status to the six groups is awaiting the approval of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following which it will be placed in Parliament,” Kiren Rijiju, Union minister of state for home, said last week.

Currently in OBC category, the six groups — Adivasi (comprising 95 central Indian tribes associated with the tea industry in Assam), Koch-Rajbongshi, Chutia, Moran, Muttock and Tai-Ahom — have been demanding ST status since the 1990s.

These groups together have a voting strength of 35%, more than that of Muslims, the largest voting block the ruling Congress and challenger All India United Democratic Front vies for. And if they get ST status, Assam’s tribal population would be over 50%.

The political significance of these communities had made the Congress push for ST status in 1996. But an ordinance for the Koch-Rajbongshis in 1996 had to be withdrawn on technical grounds.

As per tribal affairs minister Jual Oram, the ST status will be granted after various norms are eased. Local Congress leaders feel the BJP would be “hijacking our baby” if it does so.