The Consultative Group of the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) has formally rejected the proposal to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities in the state, citing constitutional, legal and socio-political concerns.
The communities seeking ST status are Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes. The rejection was communicated to the Assam government’s Group of Ministers (GoM) on Tribal Affairs, which had earlier recommended extending ST status to these groups.
In its submission, the CCTOA panel termed the GoM’s recommendation “unconstitutional and historically untenable”, arguing that the six communities do not fulfil the established criteria for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list. The panel referred to parameters laid down by expert bodies such as the Lokur Committee, which include distinctive tribal culture, geographical isolation, social and economic backwardness, and limited interaction with the larger population.
The CCTOA further pointed out that the six communities are currently categorised under Other Backward Classes (OBCs) or other classifications, and that reclassifying them as Scheduled Tribes without meeting constitutional requirements would be legally impermissible. It stressed that Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are distinct categories under the Constitution and cannot be merged arbitrarily.
Expressing concern over the possible consequences, the tribal body warned that granting ST status to the six groups could dilute the political, constitutional and reservation rights of existing Scheduled Tribes in Assam. It also cautioned that such a move may disturb the reservation structure in education, employment, local self-governance bodies, the state assembly and Parliament, potentially breaching the Supreme Court-mandated 50 per cent reservation ceiling.
The issue has triggered sharp reactions across the state. While organisations representing the six communities argue that ST status is essential for safeguarding their identity and ensuring socio-economic development, tribal organisations have staged protests opposing the move, calling it a threat to indigenous tribal rights.
The CCTOA has urged the Assam government to reconsider the proposal and hold wider consultations with all stakeholders before taking any further steps. The matter is now expected to be reviewed by the state government and, eventually, by the Centre, as any change in the ST list requires approval by Parliament.
The debate comes at a politically sensitive time, with Assembly elections approaching, making the issue of tribal status and reservation a key point of contention in Assam’s socio-political landscape.
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