HT Correspondent
GOSSAIGAON, Feb 26: The Undivided Goalpara Koch-Rajbongshi Youth Association has taken a strong stand against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government over the long-pending demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Koch-Rajbongshi community ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Addressing a press conference held at Nepalpara in Gossaigaon on Wednesday, the organisation’s central committee president, Bishnu Ray, along with other leaders, stated that if ST status is not granted to the Koch-Rajbongshi community before the 2026 Assembly polls, a democratic mass movement would be launched against the BJP-led government.
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The leaders alleged that successive assurances have been given by the government on the issue of ST status, but no concrete steps have been taken so far. According to them, the matter has repeatedly been used as an electoral promise without any visible progress on the ground.
Referring to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Ray questioned why communities that allegedly resorted to armed movements were granted ST status, while those pursuing peaceful and democratic means have been denied similar recognition. He remarked that it would be unfortunate if the message conveyed was that only armed agitation could ensure constitutional rights.
At the same time, the organisation clarified that its movement would remain within the democratic and constitutional framework. It urged the government to take an early and clear decision on granting ST status to the Koch-Rajbongshi community.
The association further appealed to the State Government to resolve the issue before the forthcoming elections to avoid large-scale public agitation.
