A large protest was organised in the Rabha Hasong region on Saturday, where thousands of people from different parts of the area gathered at Barduar Bagan in Palashbari to demand that Rabha Hasong must be included under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The protest turned into a major public demonstration and created strong political attention ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam.
The demonstration was mainly organised by the All Rabha Students’ Union (ARSU). The All Rabha Women’s Council and the Sixth Schedule Demand Committee also took part in the protest. People from nearby villages, young students, women and elderly residents gathered in large numbers. Most of the protesters carried banners and posters, while many raised slogans asking the government to fulfil the demand immediately.
Throughout the day, the protest site echoed with slogans that criticised the BJP government at both the state and central level. Many protesters shouted that the ruling government had not kept its earlier promises and that the Rabha community continued to remain deprived of constitutional protections and land rights. 
According to the protest organisers, the demand for Sixth Schedule status is not new. They said that this demand had been raised for many years but the government had not taken any meaningful step so far. The protesters also said that the Rabha community required constitutional safeguards for their land, culture and identity, which they believe can only be ensured through inclusion under the Sixth Schedule.
Speaking at the protest, leaders of ARSU said that the community has waited long enough for the government to take action. They alleged that the BJP government had promised various steps in the past, but those promises never turned into decisions. Many leaders stated that the Rabha community had shown political support earlier but now they felt that their support was being taken for granted.
One protest leader said that the community was forced to hit the streets because there was no other option left. “We have been requesting the government for several years. We have sent letters, memorandums and reminders. But there is still no final result. We cannot wait indefinitely,” the leader said.
Many speakers also said that the government should sit for talks with Rabha organisations and give a clear answer regarding the demand. According to them, continuing to postpone decisions only leads to distrust and frustration among the people.
The protest also had strong political messages directed towards the ruling party. Organisations involved in the protest warned that if the demand for Sixth Schedule status is not fulfilled before the 2026 Assembly elections, the Rabha community will withdraw support from the BJP. They also warned that all existing political alliances with the BJP would end automatically if the demand continues to be ignored.
The protest groups further declared that they would field their own independent candidates against BJP candidates in the upcoming elections if no action is taken. Leaders said that the community will no longer depend on party promises and would instead take their own political decisions in the elections.
