Congress Working President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), Roselina Tirkey, has accused the BJP-led government in Assam of deliberately sidelining the Tea Tribe community, depriving them of their constitutional rights and denying them Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which their counterparts in other parts of the country enjoy.
“Systematic Discrimination,” Says Tirkey
Addressing reporters on June 3, 2025, Tirkey described the BJP’s stance on the Tea Tribe community as one of broken promises and political betrayal. She claimed that despite several election pledges, the community continues to be denied the constitutional recognition it deserves.
“The BJP government has done nothing except use the Tea Tribes as a vote bank. We are still denied ST status in Assam, while in other states, our people are recognized as Scheduled Tribes,” Tirkey said.
She emphasized that the exclusion from ST status has not only hurt the identity of the community but also prevented them from accessing various socio-economic benefits, including education, healthcare, employment, and political representation.
Tea Tribes: A Legacy of Labor and Injustice
The Tea Tribe community, comprising descendants of Adivasi workers brought to Assam during the British era, has contributed significantly to Assam’s economy through the tea industry. Yet, they remain among the most marginalized populations in the state.
While states like West Bengal and Jharkhand recognize them under various ST categories, Assam continues to withhold this crucial status. Tirkey pointed out that this exclusion stands in contrast to repeated assurances given by the BJP, both before and after coming to power.
She also mentioned that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment has several times recommended granting ST status to the Tea Tribe community in Assam, but the recommendations remain unimplemented.
Broken Promises by BJP Government
Tirkey highlighted the BJP’s unfulfilled promises in previous election manifestos. “From 2016 to 2021, every manifesto has mentioned ST status for Tea Tribes. But it’s clear now that these were empty promises made for electoral gains,” she stated.
She also accused the BJP of creating divisions among various indigenous communities in Assam by failing to act on this long-standing demand, adding, “It’s not just neglect—it’s calculated delay and deceit.”
The Congress leader alleged that the BJP’s divisive politics have stalled the inclusive development of Tea Tribe people, who continue to suffer from poor literacy rates, lack of clean drinking water, housing issues, and poor access to healthcare.
A Call for Immediate Action
Roselina Tirkey demanded that the Assam government send a fresh proposal to the Centre seeking ST status for the Tea Tribes and take concrete legislative steps to resolve the matter.
She also urged all opposition parties, civil society organizations, and student unions to come together and build a unified movement to press for the Tea Tribe community’s rights.
“This is not just about one community—it’s about justice, equality, and constitutional values,” she asserted.
For more updates on political developments in Assam, see our recent article:
Assam Minister Reviews Welfare Schemes and Flood Relief in Goalpara, Biswanath
Also read:
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes – Recommendations
Looking Ahead: Will the Tea Tribe Community Finally Get Justice?
With assembly elections looming and public pressure mounting, all eyes are now on the Assam government and the BJP leadership. Will the long-denied Tea Tribe ST status in Assam be addressed in time, or will the issue once again be shelved until the next election cycle?
The Congress, led by leaders like Tirkey, has made it clear that they intend to keep this issue alive and take it directly to the people.
It is time for the government to stop using the Tea Tribe community for political mileage and start delivering justice. Citizens and activists must continue to raise their voices and hold elected representatives accountable for ensuring equal rights for all communities in Assam.
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