Nagaon: The demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Koch Rajbongshi community gained renewed momentum on Sunday, as the Central Assam Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union warned of launching a mass democratic movement if the long-pending demand is not fulfilled before the upcoming Assam Assembly elections (Koch Rajbongshi ST Status Demand).
The declaration was made at a public meeting held at Shaheed Bhawan, Nagaon, on the occasion of the 516th birth anniversary of the great Koch warrior Chilarai. The day was observed with a series of programmes organised under the initiative of the students’ union.
Addressing the gathering, leaders of the organisation alleged that both the Central and State governments have repeatedly deceived the Koch Rajbongshi community, along with six other ethnic groups of Assam, in the name of granting tribal status. Union president Paresh Chandra Deka asserted that the community would no longer accept verbal assurances without concrete action and categorically stated that ST status must be granted before the Assembly polls.
The day-long programme began in the morning with flag hoisting by Paresh Chandra Deka, followed by the flag hoisting of the Central Assam Koch Rajbongshi Development Authority Demand Committee by its president, Hemanta Deka. Floral tributes were paid at the statue of Chilarai by Birinchi Kashyap Bora, president of the Chilarai Day Celebration Committee. Ratul Kumar Rajbongshi, general secretary of the students’ union, offered floral homage at the Shaheed Bedi, while Bisal Bora, secretary of the celebration committee, inaugurated a tree plantation drive.
The open session, presided over by Paresh Chandra Deka, featured retired professor Mohini Mohan Deka as the distinguished speaker. In his thought-provoking address, he described Chilarai as a visionary and era-defining leader and urged the younger generation to follow his ideals, courage, and foresight.
Former MLA Dr. Durlabh Chamuah, speaking as the chief guest, elaborated on the historical legacy of Chilarai and the Koch Rajbongshi community. He emphasised Chilarai’s strong and farsighted leadership and called for the introduction of an inter-state permit system to safeguard the future of Assam’s indigenous communities.
The meeting, anchored by Ratul Kumar Rajbongshi, was also addressed by several prominent speakers, including Prabal Sharma, president of the AJYCP Nagaon district committee; youth activist Udipta Narayan Raja; senior journalist Kanak Hazarika; social worker Anup Laskar; Mun Kakati and Pankaj Bora of the Nagaon District Chutia Yuva Sanmilani; Phanindra Gogoi, president of the All Nagaon District Tai Ahom Students’ Union; and Dilip Deka, vice-president of AKRASU, among others.
Cultural performances featuring traditional Koch Rajbongshi dance and music added colour to the event. On the occasion, Madhu Bora was honoured with the Chilarai Samannaya Award, while Dr. Keshab Bora received the Chilarai Literary Award . Several senior journalists and distinguished personalities of Nagaon were also felicitated for their contributions.
The observance concluded with a renewed call for unity and sustained democratic movement to achieve constitutional recognition and safeguard the rights of the Koch Rajbongshi community in Assam.
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