Chutia students’ union protests delay in granting ST status

rajib dutta / Oct 15, 2024, 04:26 IST

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Chutia students’ union protests delay in granting ST status

Dibrugarh: Members of the All Assam Chutia Students’ Union (Aacsu) took to the streets of Tinsukia town on Monday, protesting the central govt’s failure to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Chutia community in Assam.
Carrying placards and banners, the protesters raised slogans of “No ST, No Rest” directing their ire at the BJP-led govt at the Centre.The demonstrators also burned the effigies of Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, symbolising their discontent with both the Centre and State.
Samiron Borah, central working president of Aacsu, voiced the community’s frustration, stating, “The BJP’s promise of ST status was nothing more than an election gimmick to secure our votes. We condemn the Centre for their continuous delay tactics on this critical issue. Our patience is wearing thin. We will escalate our protests across the state. The govt needs to understand that this issue is central to our identity and future.”
The Chutia community’s struggle for ST status is not isolated. Five other ethnic communities in Assam — the Tai Ahoms, Morans, Mottocks, Koch Rajbongshis and Adivasis — have been jointly advocating for the recognition. ST status would provide these communities with a range of benefits, including reservations in govt jobs, educational institutions and enhanced access to welfare schemes.
The roots of the ongoing controversy trace back to the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign, where top BJP leaders, including Narendra Modi, promised ST status to these six communities.

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