Thousands of tribal students from Bodoland on Saturday launched a massive protest rally against the Assam government's decision to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities Moran, Matak, Ahom, Adivasi, Chutia and Koch Rajbongshi. The protest began at Bodoland University in Rangalikhata and proceeded towards the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Secretariat in Kokrajhar. The agitators accused the government of undermining the rights and diluting the political, educational and economic safeguards of the Bodo community and other existing ST groups.
The situation escalated when protesters breached the security barricades and stormed the BTC Secretariat premises, vandalizing parts of the assembly hall by breaking furniture and other property. Slogans such as “Hagrama Mohilary go back,” “Pramod Boro go back,” and “Cancel ST status for six communities” echoed loudly as the crowd demanded the immediate withdrawal of the ST status proposal. Security forces, including commandos and Assam Police, struggled to control the large, agitated gathering.
This protest marks an expression of deep concern among Bodo and other tribal communities who fear a reduction in their reservation benefits and political representation if the ST status is extended to the additional communities. The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and allied tribal organizations have warned that this demonstration is only the beginning, with the possibility of intensified agitation and renewed calls for Bodoland statehood if the state government does not respond to their demands. Kokrajhar remains tense with a heavy police presence as the situation continues to develop.
The unrest highlights the fragile socio-political dynamics in the Bodoland region, where historic community rights and identity are perceived to be at risk due to ongoing policy decisions by the Assam government. No official statement has been issued yet from BTC or state authorities regarding the escalating protest and demands from the tribal students.
This unrest follows recent exam boycotts and similar protests at Bodoland University, emphasizing the growing resistance within the student and tribal population regarding the ST status proposal.