ST status to six Assam communities only if safeguards for current tribes remain: Hagrama Mohilary

Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief Executive Member Hagrama Mohilary on Tuesday, November 25 reiterated his stand on the proposed inclusion of six Assam communities in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list, stating that he supports the move provided it does not dilute the rights of existing tribal groups.

Addressing reporters in Kokrajhar, Mohilary maintained that he is not opposed to granting ST status to the communities—Ahom, Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi, Moran, Matak, and Tai-Ahom—so long as adequate constitutional safeguards remain in place for the current Scheduled Tribe population.

Responding to political statements emerging from Upper Assam, Mohilary said such concerns appear to be region-specific. He noted that comments made by Three Gogoi, who claimed the issue holds significance mainly for Upper Assam, do not reflect the situation in Lower Assam. “I am not aware of the particular concerns in Upper Assam,” he added.

In a separate remark, Mohilary welcomed the Assam Cabinet’s recent decision allowing Sixth Schedule areas, the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao—to remain exempt from restrictions on multiple marriages. The move enables individuals in these autonomous regions to marry more than once, if they choose.

Taking a light-hearted dig while discussing the decision, Mohilary quipped that residents of the three Sixth Schedule areas could now proceed with multiple marriages without hesitation, following the government’s approval.