Opposition Walks Out Over ST Status Demand in Assam
Opposition accuses BJP of failing to fulfil promise of Scheduled Tribe status for six communities
- Opposition stages walkout during Assam Assembly Budget Session.
- Protest over delay in granting ST status to six communities.
- BJP accused of failing to honour 2016 election promise.
- BJP MLA says government remains committed to fulfilling the demand.
GG News Bureau
Guwahati, 14th July: The Opposition on Tuesday staged a walkout from the Assam Assembly during the ongoing Budget Session, protesting the government’s failure to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities, including the Moran, Motok, Chutia, Tai Ahom, Koch-Rajbongshi and Adivasi (Tea Tribes).
Leader of the Opposition Wazed Ali Choudhury said the BJP had repeatedly promised to confer ST status on the six communities before elections but had failed to fulfil the commitment after coming to power.
“We raised the matter in the Assembly today, but we are not satisfied with the minister’s reply. That is why we have walked out of the House,” Choudhury told reporters after the protest.
Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi alleged that the BJP government had failed to honour Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2016 election promise to grant ST status within six months of forming the government.
“In 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised at a public rally that the six communities of Assam would be granted Scheduled Tribe status within six months if the BJP came to power. Nearly 11 years have passed, but the promise remains unfulfilled,” Gogoi said.
He also referred to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, introduced in Parliament in 2019, questioning why the proposal had not been implemented.
According to Gogoi, all Opposition parties jointly sought a clear statement from the government on whether ST status would be granted to the six communities, but the response was inconclusive, prompting the walkout.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Raha constituency Sashi Kanta Das supported the demand and expressed confidence that the state government would fulfil its commitment.
“I support the demand for granting Scheduled Tribe status to the six communities. I believe the work being carried out under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will be completed, and the promise will be fulfilled,” Das said.
