Kokrajhar, Assam, November 29, 2025: Tensions escalated in Kokrajhar on Saturday as hundreds of students from Bodoland University stormed the assembly hall of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) secretariat, allegedly vandalising property and disrupting official functioning, in response to the Assam cabinet’s approval of a report recommending Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for six additional communities in the state. The protest highlighted deep-seated concerns among tribal youth regarding the potential dilution of existing tribal rights and protections, and the incident has sparked a broader debate over ethnic representation, constitutional safeguards, and the political management of tribal affairs in Assam.

The students, reportedly organized and resolute in their demonstration, marched approximately six kilometres from the Bodoland University campus to the BTC secretariat. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the protesters allegedly broke through barricades surrounding the premises, forcibly closed the main gate, and entered the assembly hall. Inside the hall, officials reported that the students damaged furniture, overturned chairs, pulled out microphones, smashed window panes, and scattered flower pots across the room. The disruption necessitated the immediate deployment of additional security forces to bring the situation under control.

Officials at the scene confirmed that District Commissioner Masanda M. Pertin and Senior Superintendent of Police Akshat Garg personally engaged with the protesting students to negotiate a resolution and de-escalate tensions. Following extended discussions, the demonstrators submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary, and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, demanding the withdrawal of the Assam cabinet-approved report within 24 hours. The memorandum outlined the students’ apprehensions that granting ST status to additional communities could undermine the constitutional and legal protections afforded to the existing tribal populations.

Background: Assam Cabinet’s Decision

The Assam cabinet, on Wednesday, approved the report submitted by the Group of Ministers (GoM) regarding the inclusion of six additional communities under the Scheduled Tribe category. The communities identified in the report were the Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes. The decision, according to state officials, was intended to provide these communities with constitutional safeguards, social benefits, and representation that ST status confers, including access to reserved seats in education and employment sectors.

While the cabinet emphasized that the interests of existing tribal groups would not be compromised, students and tribal organizations have voiced strong opposition. They argue that extending ST status to new communities could lead to a dilution of existing rights, particularly in terms of reservations in government jobs and educational institutions. They also expressed concerns about the broader socio-political implications, including the potential marginalization of long-established tribal groups in Bodoland.

Student Protest and Escalation

The protest by Bodoland University students was not an isolated incident. Earlier in the week, students had staged demonstrations on campus to oppose the cabinet’s decision and, as a form of protest, boycotted their third-semester final examinations on Thursday. This boycott highlighted the intensity of student sentiment regarding the report and underscored their commitment to advocating for tribal rights through direct action.

On Thursday evening, the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), in collaboration with several allied tribal organizations, conducted a torchlight vigil in Kokrajhar town. The vigil was intended to draw public attention to the perceived threats to existing tribal privileges and to send a message to policymakers regarding the urgency of addressing these concerns. The students and activists articulated that the proposed inclusion of new communities in the ST category would compromise educational and employment opportunities historically reserved for existing tribal populations.

Saturday’s march to the BTC secretariat represented a continuation and intensification of these protests. The demonstrators were reportedly highly organized, carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding that the BTC leadership retract the consent provided to the GoM report. The students emphasized that while they were not opposed to the welfare of the six additional communities, they insisted that any such extension of benefits should not affect the entitlements and protections already guaranteed to existing tribal groups.

Political and Administrative Response

In response to the protest, authorities at the BTC secretariat implemented immediate security measures to prevent further escalation. Additional personnel were deployed, and senior police and civil officials have been stationed at the site to monitor the situation continuously. Security forces have also increased surveillance around key administrative buildings in Kokrajhar to ensure that no further incidents occur in the immediate aftermath of the student agitation.

District and state officials emphasized that negotiations with student leaders would continue in order to avoid the situation escalating into broader unrest. Both the DC and SSP assured the protesters that their grievances would be formally conveyed to the state government, highlighting the commitment to dialogue as a mechanism for resolving tensions.

Broader Implications

The controversy surrounding the ST status report has brought into focus several critical issues related to tribal governance and ethnic identity in Assam. The Bodoland Territorial Council, which has significant administrative autonomy, plays a key role in managing tribal affairs, and its consent is essential for major policy decisions affecting the region’s indigenous populations.

Students and tribal organizations argue that extending ST status to additional communities without ensuring the protection of existing rights could lead to competition for resources, educational opportunities, and political representation. This perceived threat has catalyzed mobilization among tribal youth, who view themselves as defenders of long-standing constitutional safeguards.

Meanwhile, policymakers face the challenge of balancing inclusive development and representation for communities historically outside the ST category, while maintaining the entitlements of already recognized tribal groups. The Assam cabinet’s decision reflects an attempt to address long-standing demands from unrecognized communities, but the backlash from Bodoland students demonstrates the sensitivity of such measures in regions with complex ethnic compositions.

Next Steps and Ongoing Developments

The report of the GoM was scheduled to be presented in the Assam legislative assembly on the last day of the winter session on Saturday. However, given the intense protests, the actual proceedings may be delayed or accompanied by heightened security arrangements to prevent disruptions.

Students have vowed to intensify their agitation if their demands are not met, signaling the possibility of continued protests, strikes, or other forms of demonstration in the coming days. Security forces have reiterated their commitment to maintaining order and protecting government property while ensuring the right to peaceful protest is respected.

The situation remains fluid, with both student leaders and government authorities emphasizing dialogue and negotiation as the preferred means of resolution. The memorandum submitted by the students will likely be reviewed by the Assam government, the BTC leadership, and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to determine the next course of action, which could include modifications to the report, reassurances regarding existing tribal rights, or additional consultations with stakeholders.

Conclusion

The events of Saturday underscore the deep emotional and political stakes involved in decisions related to Scheduled Tribe status in Assam. For tribal students and organizations in Bodoland, the cabinet’s approval of the GoM report represents a potential threat to the constitutional rights, educational opportunities, and socio-economic privileges historically guaranteed to recognized tribal groups.

The storming of the BTC secretariat and the subsequent vandalism, while regrettable, highlights the intensity of sentiment surrounding this issue and the sense of urgency felt by the student community. As negotiations between authorities and protest leaders continue, the unfolding situation serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between governance, ethnic identity, and youth activism in Assam.

The state government now faces the challenge of addressing these grievances, maintaining law and order, and ensuring that the interests of both existing and prospective ST communities are balanced in a manner that upholds constitutional protections and promotes social harmony in the region.