The Assam government is preparing to submit a strong plea to the Central Government, urging recognition of the Haloi Keots SC status. This community, which includes around 70,000 members across Assam, currently remains excluded from the Scheduled Caste (SC) list.
For years, social and economic challenges have burdened the Haloi Keots due to this exclusion. They seek rightful access to education, employment, and welfare benefits granted to other SC groups. This plea represents a critical step toward social justice and equality in Assam.
Who Are the Haloi Keots?
Within the broader Keot (Kaibarta) community, the Haloi Keots form a distinct sub-group traditionally engaged in fishing and agriculture. Although the larger Kaibarta community enjoys Scheduled Caste recognition, the Haloi lineage was inadvertently left out during caste classification post-independence.
Consequently, limited opportunities and marginalization have hindered the Haloi Keots’ progress. Through this plea, they aim to address these long-standing disparities and claim the benefits accorded to SC communities.
Learn more about caste classifications on the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment website.
Assam Government’s Upcoming Submission
The state government is finalizing a comprehensive report highlighting the socio-economic conditions of the Haloi Keots. They plan to present this evidence formally to the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to request the community’s inclusion in the SC list.
Several Assam MLAs support this move and advocate correcting this historical oversight. Officials emphasize that the issue transcends politics and centers on justice and inclusion.
“This isn’t about politics—it’s about recognition, justice, and inclusion,” said one government spokesperson during a press briefing last week.
Legal and Historical Background
The Kaibarta caste (also referred to as Keot in many northeastern regions) has long been recognized as a Scheduled Caste under Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950. However, lineage-based sub-groupings like the Haloi Keots were either left undefined or misclassified.
Now, recent petitions and community surveys have shown that the Haloi Keots experience social exclusion comparable to other SC groups, making their claim for inclusion both constitutional and justifiable.
View the full SC order list at censusindia.gov.in.
Socio-Economic Challenges Faced by the Haloi Keots
According to recent local surveys and academic research, the Haloi Keots face:
- High dropout rates in education
- Limited access to healthcare
- Landlessness and debt
- Underrepresentation in public jobs
- Continued social discrimination
Despite contributing significantly to agriculture and fisheries, they have remained largely invisible in policy planning and development schemes.
Community Voices and Demands
Leaders from the Haloi Keot community have organized rallies, petitions, and delegations to press their demands. Most notably, the Haloi Keot Sanmilan, a socio-cultural group, has urged both the state and Centre to act before the 2026 census, so that the group may be properly documented.
The Road Ahead for SC Recognition
Procedural Steps
Once the Assam government submits the proposal, the Centre will:
- Consult the Registrar General of India (RGI)
- Refer the matter to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes
- Initiate parliamentary procedures to amend the SC list via legislation
While the process could take several months, the growing pressure from both civil society and lawmakers may accelerate the timeline.
Regional and National Implications
Granting Haloi Keots SC status will not only benefit 70,000 individuals but also send a strong message across India regarding equity and caste inclusion. It may pave the way for similar appeals from other unrecognized sub-groups in states like Odisha, Bihar, and West Bengal.
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The Haloi Keots SC status plea marks a crucial moment in Assam’s pursuit of social justice. For decades, this community lacked the protections and benefits granted to other Scheduled Castes. Now, their demand has reached the highest levels of state government.
If the Centre approves Assam’s proposal, over 70,000 people will gain access to education, jobs, and welfare programs. More importantly, the Haloi Keots will receive the recognition they deserve. This development offers more than policy change—it restores dignity to a historically overlooked group.
As the process advances, support from citizens and leaders alike can help speed the path to justice. Therefore, spreading awareness and staying informed remains essential.