Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia today criticised the BJP-led Assam government for delaying the grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities in the state. He said the government had shown “insensitivity” and had failed to act despite repeated assurances over many years.
Saikia was reacting to recent remarks made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on the tribal status issue and developments in Karbi Anglong. He said the matter had been raised during the concluding part of the latest Assembly session. According to him, although a Group of Ministers submitted its report on November 29, the opposition was not given any scope to place its views on record after that.
He objected to the Chief Minister’s statement that no party or organisation wanted tribal status to be granted before elections. Saikia termed the remark misleading and claimed that the BJP had a “hidden history” on the matter. 
The Congress leader alleged that the government was deliberately delaying the process in the name of consultations. He said the long wait had caused frustration among people belonging to the six communities and argued that the delay amounted to a violation of constitutional provisions.
Saikia also questioned the government’s approach, stating that no proper survey had been carried out even when tribal status was granted to several groups in 1950. He said the state government did not have the authority to take a unilateral decision on the matter and should not use selective arguments.
Recalling the background of the issue, Saikia said the Congress first moved the proposal in 1996, when it sought ST status for the Koch Rajbongshi community. Later, a bill was placed in the Lok Sabha to extend ST status to six communities.
He further alleged that ministerial committees set up after 2016 had ignored the Amar Ray Pradhan Committee report. He reminded that the BJP had promised in 2014 to complete the process within six months, but the commitment still remained pending even after ten years.
Saikia also highlighted Congress initiatives, saying the party government had adopted a formal proposal in 2005 and led an all-party delegation to the Centre in 2014. He added that the BJP’s 2014 Vision Document clearly mentioned granting ST status to the six communities.
Rejecting the Chief Minister’s suggestion that granting new ST status might harm existing tribal groups, Saikia said the claim appeared to be a personal opinion with no constitutional backing.
He further alleged that although bills were introduced in both Houses of Parliament in 2019, the BJP government failed to take the process to its conclusion. According to him, the issue was used as a political tool rather than being addressed sincerely.
Saikia also said that representatives of the six communities were once advised to accept OBC status instead of ST benefits during a meeting held on January 28, 2019. He said this showed a lack of serious intent from the government.
Saikia said the Congress had always raised the issue in a sincere manner. He alleged that the tribal status matter was also used during the anti-CAA movement to prevent the six communities from joining the agitation, calling it an example of “opportunistic politics”.
