Assam – The debate over granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities in Assam gained momentum today as the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations, Assam (CCTOA) held a key consultation with Tribal Affairs (Plains) Minister Ranoj Pegu at Janata Bhawan.
The meeting, described as the start of an intensive month-long dialogue, is expected to shape critical policy decisions in the state.
Speaking to reporters after the discussion, CCTOA Chief Coordinator Aditya Khakhlari and All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) president Dipen Boro said the organisation had submitted a detailed set of recommendations and objections to the ministerial team.
“Minister Ranoj Pegu listened carefully to our concerns and explained the contents of the Group of Ministers (GoM) report. We have sought one month’s time to study the document thoroughly before giving our final feedback,” Khakhlari said.
He added that a second round of talks with the GoM will be held after a month, during which CCTOA plans to engage Bodo intellectuals, legal experts, and former legislators to build a comprehensive position. “Following that, we will also seek meetings with the Chief Minister and the Union Home Minister,” he noted.
Khakhlari reiterated that the organisation’s stance remains firm: “The rights, safeguards and opportunities of existing Scheduled Tribe communities must not be diluted under any circumstances.”
The committee also flagged concerns about the broader impact of the proposed move, particularly in national-level examinations, higher education admissions, and government recruitment.
Today’s consultation comes in the wake of the Assam Cabinet’s November 30 decision to examine the GoM report recommending ST status for six additional communities.
Confirming the talks, Education and Tribal Affairs Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu later wrote on X that he had explained the GoM’s recommendations and the safeguards proposed for existing ST groups. He said the CCTOA has assured the formation of an expert committee and will submit its findings within a month.
