The All Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU) has publicly criticized the BJP-led Assam government for allegedly neglecting the Koch Rajbongshi community regarding the promised Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. During a press conference at the Greater Bongaigaon Press Club, AKRSU leaders expressed their dissatisfaction, particularly directed at Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, who they accused of misleading the community by failing to honor commitments related to tribal status.
AKRSU general secretary Baloram Barman outlined the union’s planned protests, which include a padayatra (foot march) in Bongaigaon and Chirang districts set for February 9. On February 14, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit to Assam, AKRSU intends to display black flags across districts to symbolize their protest against what they perceive as governmental betrayal.
Moreover, Barman criticized the government’s engagement in divisive politics, particularly between Hindus and Muslims, asserting that the chief minister’s promises of Hindu unity have not translated into actions addressing the longstanding demands of the Koch Rajbongshi community. He also announced that ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections, AKRSU, in collaboration with other Koch Rajbongshi organizations and sympathetic groups, would initiate a campaign titled “No ST, No Vote,” as a form of protest against the BJP’s governance. Several other AKRSU leaders joined Barman at the press conference to bolster these claims and express collective discontent.
