Koch-Rajbongshis Community

Koch-Rajbongshis Community: The Koch-Rajbongshis of Assam recently demanded for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

• Five other communities—Adivasis, Ahoms, Chutias, Mataks, and Morans—are also demanding ST status.
• About: The Koch-Rajbongshis are one of the largest communities in western Assam and northern West Bengal, currently have Other Backward Classes (OBC) status.
• Reservation quota in Assam: OBCs - 27%, ST (Plains) – 10%, Scheduled Caste – 7%, ST (Hills) – 5%
• 10 existing ST communities in Assam—Bodo, Rabha, Tiwa, Karbi, Dimasa, Mishing, Sonowal, Hajong, Garo, and Deuri—oppose granting ST status to these six groups.
• Past Developments: The Centre granted ST status to Koch-Rajbongshis for six months in 1996.

o It was revoked after protests, as they secured: 33 out of 42 medical seats reserved for STs, and 17 out of 21 engineering seats, among others.

• Criteria for Inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) List: Indications of primitive traits → Distinctive culture → Geographical isolation → Shyness of contact with the larger community → Backwardness.

o These criteria are not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.

• Article 342: Procedure for ST Specification

o Clause (1): The President may notify tribes or tribal communities as Scheduled Tribes.

o In case of a State, the Governor’s consultation is required.

o This notification grants Constitutional status to the tribe, making them eligible for safeguards under the Constitution.

• Clause (2): The Parliament has the power to add or remove communities from the ST List through legislation.
• State/UT-Specific ST List: The ST List varies across States/UTs. A community recognized as ST in one State/UT may not have the same status in another.