Assam’s government and tribal groups begin month-long consultations on granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities. CCTOA submits concerns, seeks safeguards for existing ST groups, and plans expert review before next round of talks with the Group of Ministers.
A crucial phase of consultations has begun in Assam as the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) held an important meeting with State Tribal Affairs (Plains) Minister Ranoj Pegu on Thursday to discuss the highly sensitive issue of granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities. The meeting marks the start of an intensive month-long process that is expected to shape the state’s position on one of Assam’s longest pending socio-political demands.
The six communities seeking ST status—Ahom, Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran and Matak—have raised this demand for decades. However, the proposed inclusion has long been met with concerns from existing ST groups who fear dilution of their constitutional safeguards. The meeting on Thursday sought to bring clarity, transparency and structured dialogue to this complex matter.
Following the discussions, CCTOA Chief Coordinator Aditya Khakhlari and All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) President Dipen Boro briefed the media. They stated that the organisation had formally submitted a wide range of suggestions, objections and technical queries to the ministerial panel for consideration.
Khakhlari said Minister Pegu engaged extensively with their concerns, addressing several elements from the Group of Ministers (GoM) report that had been submitted to the state government earlier. “We have submitted multiple recommendations and objections. Minister Ranoj Pegu patiently heard us and elaborated on various aspects of the GoM report. We have sought one month’s time to study the document comprehensively, after which we will present our final recommendations to the government,” he said.
He further confirmed that a second round of talks between CCTOA and the GoM will take place after one month. During this period, the organisation plans to hold wide-ranging consultations with Bodo scholars, constitutional experts, legal professionals, former legislators, and former Members of Parliament. These engagements are aimed at creating a unified and well-researched position paper reflecting both cultural rights and legal safeguards.
“Following our next meeting with the GoM, we will also seek appointments with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to convey our views in detail,” Khakhlari said.
One of the central issues raised by the tribal groups pertains to the protection of rights enjoyed by existing Scheduled Tribe communities. Khakhlari emphasised that this concern remains non-negotiable. “Our stand is unwavering. The rights and safeguards of communities that already enjoy Scheduled Tribe status must remain fully protected. Under no circumstances should there be any dilution of their existing privileges or opportunities,” he asserted.
CCTOA members have expressed apprehension about the policy’s broader impact on national-level competitive examinations, higher education admissions and public employment. They argue that granting ST status to a large population segment may reduce the representation of current tribes in reserved categories, affecting long-standing affirmative action frameworks.
Thursday’s meeting comes days after the Assam Cabinet’s decision on November 30 to examine the GoM report outlining recommendations for granting ST status to the six communities. The issue carries significant political weight in Assam, with implications for electoral dynamics, ethnic identity, and constitutional rights.
Minister Ranoj Pegu later confirmed the details of the interaction on social media platform X. “As per the Assam Cabinet’s decision of November 30, 2025, I met today at Janata Bhawan with CCTOA to discuss the GoM report on granting ST status to six communities. I explained the recommendations and the measures proposed to safeguard the rights of existing Scheduled Tribes,” he posted.
Pegu further stated that he advised the organisation to study chapters five and six of the report together because they deal specifically with legal safeguards and proposed administrative mechanisms.
He added, “CCTOA informed that, based on our clarifications, they will form an expert committee and submit their report within a month.”
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As Assam moves into this next stage of deliberations, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the contours of a policy that has the potential to reshape tribal rights, social equity, and ethnic relations across the state. Both the government and tribal organisations appear intent on ensuring that the process remains consultative, transparent and grounded in constitutional safeguards.
