Assam CM defends GoM report on ST status amid rising protests

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday firmly backed the Group of Ministers (GoM) report that recommends granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities.

He asserted that the proposals maintain balance, ensure equity, and do not threaten the rights of any existing group.

Sarma argued that many of the protesters had reacted without thoroughly examining the report.

The Assam government tabled the GoM document, addressing the long-pending ST demands of the Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribe (Adivasi) communities, in the Legislative Assembly on November 29, the final day of the Winter Session.

Addressing the media in Nagaon, the Chief Minister emphasised that the government crafted the recommendations to preserve social equilibrium and ensure shared progress.

He further stated, “This report does not harm any community. It aims for collective advancement. Anyone who studies it carefully will realise that the report does not deprive any group.”

Sarma also commented on the violent protest that erupted earlier that day at Bodoland University. Students opposing the cabinet’s approval of the report entered the assembly hall of the BTC Secretariat in Kokrajhar and vandalised property. He pointed out that the incident occurred before the report was even placed in the Assembly.
“It was tabled around 7 pm, whereas the protest took place at 3 pm. Clearly, the agitation started without reading the report,” he said.

To address concerns from tribal organisations, the cabinet instructed the three GoM members, Ranoj Pegu, Keshab Mahanta, and Pijush Hazarika, to hold discussions with representatives of the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA).
“The idea is to clear any confusion,” Sarma further added.

CCTOA has been leading widespread protests, warning that the inclusion of the six communities as STs might dilute existing reservation benefits enjoyed by current ST groups.

To prevent such concerns, the GoM suggested a three-tier reservation framework, which includes:

• creating a new category ST (Valley) for the Ahom, Chutia, Tea Tribes, and Koch-Rajbongshi (excluding those from undivided Goalpara);
• placing the Moran, Matak, and Godapara Koch-Rajbongshi groups under ST (Plains), where, according to the report, resistance from existing ST communities is relatively low.

The report also highlights the need for continued consultations with all stakeholders and notes that any final decision on inclusion requires a constitutional amendment in Parliament.

With protests spreading and political reactions intensifying, the demand for ST status has rapidly turned into a major political flashpoint in Assam ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.