As the protests against The Citizenship (Amendment) Act amplify, the Adivasis and tea tribes of Assam’s demands for Scheduled Tribes (ST) status are coming to light. The plight and cause of these communities has been thrust into the limelight, highlighting the struggles of these ethnic groups in their fight for recognition and improved social status.
The Adivasis and Their Plea
The Adivasis, a collective of 106 sub-groups, represent the largest community among six others seeking classification under the ST status. Other communities include Chutiya, Koch-Rajbongshi, Moran, Matak, and Tai-Ahom. Accounting for 18% of Assam’s population, granting these communities the ST status would tilt Assam’s demographic balance, making it a tribal-majority state.
The Tea Tribes: A Historical Overview
The tea garden workers, known as the tea tribes, were initially brought in from Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal by the British during the mid-19th century to cultivate the tea plantations of Assam. Over time, they permanently settled in Assam and became known as tea and ex-tea garden tribes.
They contribute significantly to the State’s economy by being responsible for about 53% of India’s total tea production. Despite this, their economic conditions are far from satisfactory, suffering from low literacy rates and backwardness. This has led to them seeking the ST status in Assam to uplift their socio-economic conditions.
Koch Rajbongshi: A Tribal Journey
Origins of the Koch Rajbongshi tribe trace back to the ancient Koch kingdom. In Rajbongshi language, “Rajbongshi” translates to “royal community”. Populating regions of West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and various North-Eastern parts of India, this tribe has a rich cultural history.
Their language is not only spoken in India but also finds speakers in Bangladesh and Nepal. Over different periods, they have adopted various religions including animism, Hinduism/Sanatana (both Shaiva and Vaishnavite), and a few members of the community are followers of Christianity.
| Adivasis ST Status Claim | Tea Tribes Production Contribution | Koch Rajbongshi Homeland |
|---|---|---|
| Largest Group asking for ST status | 53% of total tea production | West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya |
Moran Community: Historical Background
The Moran community, one of the indigenous tribes of Assam, were originally settled in the southeastern region of Brahmaputra valley during the 13th century. They maintained an independent kingdom until the arrival of the Ahoms.
Over time, they have integrated several tribal groups like Mising, Mulung, Mung Tai, and others. It was in the early 17th century that Aniruddhadeva converted them to Vaishnavism, leading to a cultural revolution within the community. This transformation marked the regeneration of their society and culture, defining their modern identity.
