Nath Yogi groups march in Assam's Morigaon, press 11-point charter of demands

Chants of “Har Har Mahadev” rang out across parts of Assam's Morigaon district on January 2 as organisations representing the Nath Yogi community staged a mass demonstration, bringing daily life to a brief standstill in several areas.

More than 2,000 men, women and young people joined the protest, marching in from Nath Yogi–inhabited villages across the district. Carrying placards and banners, the demonstrators described the rally as an “intense democratic protest” aimed at securing long-pending recognition and safeguards.

At the centre of the agitation was an 11-point charter of demands submitted to the authorities. Protesters sought land rights for Nath Yogi families living in districts across Assam, the creation of a satellite autonomous council for the community, and immediate recognition of the indigenous Nath Yogi population as a protected community by the state government.

The charter also called for priority representation of Nath Yogis in government corporations, statutory bodies and autonomous councils, arguing that the community has remained under-represented despite its presence across multiple districts.

Organisers said the mobilisation reflected growing frustration over delays in policy action and warned that similar protests could follow if the demands continue to be ignored.