The Central Assam All Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union has issued a strong warning to the Assam government, saying it will face serious political consequences if Scheduled Tribe (ST) status is not granted to the Koch Rajbongshi community before the upcoming elections.
Reacting sharply to recent remarks by Himanta Biswa Sarma, who said that ST status for six communities would be considered only after the elections, the students’ body accused the government of delaying a long-pending promise and hurting the sentiments of indigenous people.
Addressing a press conference at Raha on Wednesday, union president Paresh Deka and general secretary Ritul Rajbongshi said the Chief Minister’s statement has caused deep anger among the Tai Ahom, Chutia, Koch Rajbongshi, Matak, Moran and Tea Tribes communities. They questioned why the government, despite being in power for several years, has failed to resolve the issue before elections. 
The leaders asked the Chief Minister to clearly explain what is stopping the government from granting ST status. They alleged that repeated assurances without action amount to misleading the people. “If ST status is not granted before the polls, the Koch Rajbongshi community will reject the BJP in the elections,” they warned.
Paresh Deka recalled that when the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power at the Centre under Narendra Modi, a promise was made to grant ST status to six communities in Assam. He pointed out that although a Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in 2019, it was later withdrawn and never taken forward.
“It is painful that ST status has been granted to 117 communities across the country, but not a single community from Assam was included,” Deka said, calling the situation extremely disappointing.
The students’ union also expressed solidarity with the Karbi people amid the ongoing unrest in Karbi Anglong, saying indigenous land and identity are under threat. They alleged that increasing pressure from migrants is creating fear among local communities.
The organisation demanded immediate steps, including granting ST status to the six communities and introducing protective measures such as the Inner Line Permit system. It warned that the movement would continue and intensify if the government fails to act.
