Assam Cabinet backs report seeking Scheduled Tribe status for six communities

The Assam Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, approved the report prepared by a Group of Ministers during a meeting held at Lok Sewa Bhawan on Wednesday evening. The proposal concerns the Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes (also known as Adivasis), all of whom have campaigned for years for inclusion in India’s Scheduled Tribe list.

According to the Chief Minister, the state’s Tribal Affairs Department will submit the document to the Assam Legislative Assembly during the current session. He said the government would request the Speaker to determine the earliest available date for placing it before the House. “I hope that this report will represent the aspirations of all of us,” he told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

Education Minister Ranoj Pegu headed the Group of Ministers, with Ministers Pijush Hazarika and Keshab Mahanta serving as members. The panel was tasked with preparing recommendations for the central government, which has the authority to approve changes to India’s list of Scheduled Tribes through constitutional amendment or parliamentary legislation.

Officials said the state government will forward the report to the Ministry of Home Affairs once it is tabled in the assembly. The ministry is responsible for examining proposals from states relating to ethnic classifications, including criteria involving distinct culture, language, geographical isolation, and socio-economic indicators. If approved by the Centre, the recognition would place Assam among India’s tribal-majority states.

The Cabinet decision follows months of heightened demonstrations by representatives of the six communities, who argue that Scheduled Tribe status is essential for safeguarding their cultural identity and improving access to reserved political positions, education quotas and welfare schemes. Local media have reported that several groups intensified their mobilisation in recent weeks, seeking action before next year’s state elections.

Chief Minister Sarma said the timing of the decision was linked to the completion of the ministerial panel’s work rather than electoral considerations. Nevertheless, analysts note that issues relating to ethnic identity and access to affirmative action have historically played a significant role in Assam’s political landscape.

In addition to the ST-status report, the Cabinet approved the transfer of three bighas of land from the Government Muga Farm at Reshom Nagar in Khanapara to the Cultural Affairs Department. The land, previously under the Handloom, Textiles and Sericulture Department, will be used to build a modern museum celebrating Assam’s textile heritage.

According to state officials, the museum will be developed with support from JSW I&P Holdings Pvt. Ltd. and will feature traditional weaving techniques, historical artefacts and contemporary exhibits. One of its centrepieces is expected to be the Vrindavani Vastra, a historically significant textile that the British Museum in London has agreed to loan for display.

The proposed museum aims to highlight Assam’s longstanding tradition of silk production, particularly muga silk, which is renowned for its durability and natural golden colour. Cultural experts say the new institution could enhance public awareness and promote tourism linked to the state’s handloom sector.

Context

The demand for Scheduled Tribe status in Assam has been a longstanding political and social issue, with various committees and commissions examining the claims of multiple communities over the past decades. The central government has previously engaged in consultations with state authorities, but no final decision has been taken.

Securing ST status grants communities access to a range of constitutional protections and affirmative action measures designed to address historical disadvantages. These include reserved seats in legislatures, quotas in public-sector employment and designated seats in educational institutions. The recognition also plays a role in safeguarding cultural practices, land rights and traditional governance structures.

If the Ministry of Home Affairs accepts Assam’s proposal, the move would represent one of the most significant changes to the state’s demographic classification in recent years. It may also influence political negotiations ahead of the next Assembly elections, as parties seek to respond to the concerns of historically underrepresented groups.