Context:
Ahead of Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Assam, the Koch-Rajbongshi community has once again raised its demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. This demand, which has been a longstanding issue, is now at the forefront as the community seeks recognition and the benefits that come with it, including greater reservations in education, employment, and political representation. Currently, Koch-Rajbongshi community in Assam is considered as a OBC community.
About Key Demands of the community:
The Koch-Rajbongshi Sanmilita Joutha Mancha, a collective of 12 community organizations, has submitted a 15-point memorandum highlighting their key demands.
Among the most pressing are the granting of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, the re-establishment of the historic Kamatapur State, and the creation of a Chilarai Regiment in the armed forces to honor their legendary warrior.
These demands underscore the community’s aspiration for social upliftment, as well as recognition of their rich historical and cultural heritage.
Issues with demand:
· However, the push for ST status has not been without controversy. Several existing ST communities in Assam, such as the Bodos, Karbis, and Mishing, have opposed the proposal.
· Their primary concern is that granting ST status to communities like the Koch-Rajbongshis, who are seen as more economically and educationally advanced, could diminish the opportunities available to the current ST groups.
· They argue that the increased competition for reserved seats in education and government jobs would disadvantage the existing tribal communities.
About Koch-Rajbongshis community:
The Koch-Rajbongshis, also known as Rajbanshi or Rajvanshi, are an ancient indigenous tribe originating from the Koch kingdom, an old kingdom in South Asia. They are recognized as a distinct ethnic group with a rich cultural and historical heritage.
The Koch-Rajbongshi tribe is spread across several regions in South Asia. They are primarily found in lower Nepal, Northern Bengal, North Bihar, Northern Bangladesh, Assam, parts of Meghalaya, and Bhutan. These regions were once part of the Kamata kingdom, which was ruled by the Koches for many centuries.
Depending on the region, the Koch-Rajbongshi community is classified differently:
- OBC (Other Backward Class) in Assam
- SC (Scheduled Caste) in Bengal
- ST (Scheduled Tribe) in Meghalaya
Conclusion
The demand for ST status by the Koch-Rajbongshi community and other ethnic groups in Assam is a sensitive and contentious issue. While the community seeks greater rights and recognition, existing ST groups in the state raise concerns about their rights being undermined. Government should make arrangement of all community meeting and with coordination and consensus with all communalities in Assam, the matter should be resolved.
