Overview
- Thousands gathered at Sonapur Mini Stadium as the Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organisation of Assam and allied bodies led a protest drawing participants from 26 organisations and representatives of 14 Scheduled Tribe groups.
- Protest leaders opposed granting Scheduled Tribe status to Moran, Matak/Muttock, Ahom/Tai Ahom, Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Adivasi (tea tribes), arguing these communities are too numerous and socially advanced to qualify.
- Speakers warned that inclusion would dilute reservations and cultural protections for existing tribes and cited a 1996 temporary listing for Koch-Rajbongshi as a cautionary precedent for rapid occupation of reserved posts.
- Organisers alleged the push to expand the ST list is politically timed ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, a charge reported by multiple outlets.
- The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order Amendment Bill introduced in 2019 remains pending, and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said in June the proposal is being seriously considered, while recent delimitation raised ST-reserved Assembly seats from 16 to 19.