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Title : Need to accord Scheduled Tribe status to Koch-Rajbangshi community of Assam.
SHRI ANWAR HUSSAIN (DHUBRI): Sir, the Koch-Rajbangshi communities of Assam have been agitating over last two decades demanding Scheduled Tribe status. In the different phases of their agitation at district, State and National headquarters, they observed satyagrahas,anasanas, dharnas including several hundred-hour bandhs.
During the Narasimha Rao regime, an Ordinance was made by the President of India fulfilling their aspirations by re-scheduling them as Scheduled Tribes. They enjoyed it for some time. But the successive Union Governments did not bring legislation and made the Ordinance lapse.
The ALA and the Government of Assam have duly and repeatedly proposed and pressed for it; and also, in many States, Koch-Rajbangshis are already listed as Scheduled Tribes. The INC, in its election manifesto in Assam, promised to do so.
I urge upon the UPA Government to ensure social justice and reschedule the Koch-Rajbangshi of Assam as Scheduled Tribe immediately. The Adivasi people of Assam serving in tea gardens and also the ex-tea garden Adivasis deserve Scheduled Tribe status. I urge upon the Government to include them as Scheduled Tribes[e27] .