. All Adivasi
Students Association of Assam(AASAA)
Assertion
for Indigenous people status in Assam
Introduction
Recent hot debate on
Khilonjia (indigenous) has brought new dimension to the straggle of Assertion
of Indigenous status of Adivasi community. On 23rd of March 2018
Adivasi and Tea Garden Community under the common banner of 18 organizations
including AASAA protested the statement of ULFA General Secretary Anup Chetia
Lead Khilonjia Manch (Indigenous Forum). There were around 50,000 people gather
at Chaukiding of Dibrugarh to protest the statement which said Tea Garden
worker are non Indigenous in Assam. During the protest Dr. Debabrata Sarma
Principal of Jorhat Collage said that when “we are talking about indigenous.” “Why
talk about 1826 AD. Let’s go beyond?” He said and showed an archeological Books
(50 years after Daojali Hading) where clearly mentioned that Austric Munda had
lived in Assam 5000years ago[i].
.Assam
is a boiling point of India where races and communities being assimilated,
Alienated and combined to form a new Identity and Society. Many small and big
communities (Jati, upajati) migrated to Assam in different period of time and
settled in Assam. It says “The history
of Assam is confluence of people from the east, west and the North the
confluence of Tibeto-Burman (Sino-Tibetan), Indo Aryan and Austro-Asiatic
Cultures”.[ii]
In course of time they changed their culture
and tradition through assimilation or Alienation and became a part of Greater
Assamese Society. All Adivasi Student Association of Assam (AASAA) has been
trying to establish the Identity of Adivasis in Assam as a inseparable part of
Assamese Society. One of present intellectual Dr. Sanjay Kumar Tanti says-“I
understand that we are an integral part of greater Adivasi nationality of India
and at the same time we are also actively taking part in the formation of the greater
Assamese identity.[iii]
ABOUT ADIVASI of Assam
Adivasis: The term Adivasi can be
defined as ‘Adi’ means the ‘foremost’ and ‘vasi’ means ‘inhabitant’ which means
the first inhabitants of the country are called Adivasi. According to the
Assamese literature, ‘Hemkos’, the word ‘Adivasi’ means the ‘first inhabitants’
and in every place comes first. According to ‘Aboriginal’ Indian Confederation
of Indigenous and Tribal Population (ICITP) means the first inhabitant and the
people who are formed from the ancient community. The term ‘Adivasi’ means Adi-Aborigine, Vasi-
Inhabitant. These groups of people are presumed to from the oldest ethnological
sector of the population. The Historian M. Banerjee says that the citizens of
Chotanagpur are Adivasi.
History of India by
Parffulla Kumar Baruah and Dr. Tasudk Amanul Hussain Adivasi community can be
defined as People whose color black, nose flat, short in size. They live in
forest and hills. They have different language then Dravidian and Aryan. Kol,
Bhil, Munda etc are known as Adivasis community.[iv]
Adivasis of Assam
migrated to Assam during prehistoric era (4th Century) during the
Time of Naraka daysu king who was Son of Janaka King of Videhas.[v]
Again Adivasis are brought to Assam
by British planter during British colony.
Adivasis are the
First Inhabitants of Assam
According
to the scholars the khasis and Syntengs were the first inhabitants of Assam. In
the graduation syllabus of Dibrugarh University, in ‘The history of Assam’ Dr.
Lakhi Devi mentioned that the most ancient people of Assam were the Khasi and
Synteng. They belonged to Austric tribe. The language of the Munda community of
Chotanagpur in India is similar to that of the Khasi and Synteng. According to
Sir Edward Gait, other than similarities in language, the rituals are found to
be similar.
(A
History of Assam: 24) ‘A peculiar feature of this country is furnished by the
curious Monoliths which the Khasis and Syntengs use to erect in memory of their
dead. Similar Monoliths are found amongst Hos-Mundas in Chotanagpur who speak
dialects belonging to the same family of language.’[vi]
In
his book named ‘History and Culture of Khasi people’ Hamlet Brach has uplifted
the fact that about similarities in Hos, Munda and Khasi people in (page no
23-28). Dr. Hultong thought that the Khasi and Adibasi Hos and Munda people
belonged to the same tribe.[vii]
……………………..
The above similarity in death uniform considering with regard to the view based
on linguistic offerings that the Khasis and Hos-Mundas were originally
descended from common-stock (Hamlet Brach: 28).
Dr.
Grension, an eminent linguist, proclaimed that Mundas came through North East.
Dr.
Grension, an eminent linguist, in a paper read before the society of Art in
March, 1906………… to say whether the Mundas or Dravidian or both were aboriginal
of India………..
…………………..As
for the Mundas, if they were immigrant they must certainly have entered India
proper form the North East. (Benerjee: 63)
Similarly
many scholars said that the Kolerian Mundas came to India from the North. In
the Adibasi rituals and folk-songs, many figures of Assam can be found.
According to Toila Hasda, the word ‘Kamrup’ took origin form ‘Kamrup Guru’. The
name of the Kamrup Guru can be heard in the Santali Mantra verse, Jharni song
etc. No worship song, mantra verse is complete until the pronunciation of the
name of Kamrup Guru[viii].
History
might be silent yet according to the traditional belief of the Adibasis, in
North Bihar the king of Videha named Raja Janak was a Munda. During ploughing,
the baby girl was found therefore he named him ‘Sita’ (Si-tan in Munda means
during plough). The famous king of Jyotishpur, Narkasur was the son of Janak.
Therefore once upon a time the Mundas were ruling over the Assam.
The
word ‘Khasi’ or ‘Ka-si’ means no ploughing. The Austric Mundas did ploughing
but the khasi people did no ploughing that’s why they were called ‘ka-si’ or
‘khasi’. The name of the Mairang hill is originated from ‘Marang Buru’. In
Marang Buru, lived the ‘Marang Bonga’ (Marang Monster) and only the red colour
hens were sacrificed there.
It
can be said that the name of the river Dikhou, Dibang, Dikrung etc were named
after the word ‘Da’ (Water). Through these facts we can guess that once the Advasis
were in Assam and the north-east in India.
The
Khasis in actual belong to Mongolia tribe but their language is Kolerian or
Australian. The Kol-Mundas lived in Assam before the Khasis came to Assam. The
khasis learned the Ausstralian language form them. According to the book
(Asomiya Jatir Etebriti) published by the Assam Sahitya Sabha-
“The
Australians lived in Assam before the Khasis came into Assam. Then the khasis
came and adopted the language”
Therefore the Adibasis are not only
the inhabitants of India but Also first inhabitants of Assam too. But the scholars
have never tried to study in this point of view that Adivasis were first
inhabitant of Assam
. Tea
Garden Situation
The situation of Tea garden is deteriorating. The extortion by extremist
groups and other problems resulted to closing down of many tea gardens creating
large scale unemployment. The wage of the labourers is very low compared to
labourers elsewhere. A Tea labourer gets wage less than Rs137/-but the minimum
wage in the state is Rs.241/-. There is high child labour in tea gardens. Lack
of Education, health facilities and Sanitation make tea Labourers live in an
inhuman conditions. Sukumar Bogasi (Assomor Arthaniti 1997) says that during
their studies at several tea gardens they found that the labourers are living
in sub –human conditions. Umanada Phukan points out that 70% of Ex-Tea population
are land less. Land alienation is one of the major problems in the community.
The carnage of Kokrajhar
and Adivasi IDPs
In May 1996, Bodos
mounted large-scale attacks on ethnic Santhals Adivasis that displaced more
than 250,000 persons, mostly Santhals. Santhals too organized themselves, got
armed and fought back, causing the displacement of several thousand
.
Ethnic
conflict of 1996 displaced 2 lakh people and killing 8 thousand Adivasis.
“Still Assam has large number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) including
33,362 persons in Kokrajhar district and 74,123 persons in Gossaigaon district”
(India Human Right Report of 2006).
They are some from forest area and some of them are Patta holders (Uddipana
Goswami). It is shame for a country that is not able to rehabilitate the
IDPS after so many years. The greater society does not feel the pain and
sufferings of Adivasis who are in the concentration camp of government of
Assam, living for last 15 years. More than one lakh people are still in the
concentration camp (relief camp) of Kokrajhar District. I say concentration
camp of Assam (similar to Nazi) because it is made to kill the Adivasis who are
in the camp through non –supply of food and water. They are also pushed to die
of famine and epidemics.
Role of AASAA in
“Assertion
for Indigenous people status”:-
In 1996 after the ethnic
clash (between Bodos and Adivasi) in western Assam, the All Adivasi Students’
Association was formed on 2nd July 1996 at Janubasti, Lakhimpur. Mr.
Justin Lakra was appointed as the President and Mr. Joseph Minj as its General
Secretary. The main demand of the organization was rehabilitation of the
affected victims of the ethnic clash and granting of Scheduled Tribes status for
the Adivasis. In order to achieve the twin objectives, the organization
submitted several memorandums to both the state and the central governments.
They organized several imitational programmes in the form of dharna, mass
rally, rail roko, bandhs etc. in order to pressurize the government to heed to
its demands. Simultaneously, AASAA organized Adivasi Mahasabhas[ix]
in several districts and mobilized the people around the twin demands. In each
and every programme it organized, the twin demands were the foremost. While the
government may have heeded to the demand for resettlement and rehabilitation
for the inmates of the relief camps partially, the ST issue has eluded the
organization till date. The government has not acceded to the demand yet.
However, AASAA is still continuing its demand for ST status for the Adivasis.
By establishing good network with Adivasi leaders of other states, it is trying
hard to bring the issue to the parliament and get it passed.
The AASAA movement was at
a time very strong. Adivasi Maha Sabhas were organized to popularize AASAA’s agitation
programs. Several band mass rallies were organized.
·
AASAA members did supreme sacrifices for Assertion for Indigenous people status:-
All
together 16 people has sacrificed their life , several handicapped, thousands
of people wounded and thousands of them put into the jails in the agitation of
Assertion for Indigenous status .
Philimon Hemrom (Srirampur) sacrificed his life in police firing on 5th
July 2000. Andrius Marandi Asst .General Secretary of AASAA gave his life at
the gun of Bodo extremist on 8th March 2001. Eight Adivasis shed their precious blood in the police
firing on 25th July 2002 during the bandh called by AASAA in demand of
rehabilitation of Kakrajhar Adivasi IDPs and scheduling. Hundreds of student were
arrested and tortured whose names were not recorded.
Paneri MARTYRS: - In the year 2001-2003 AASAA led several
agitational programs. On 25th July 2003 AASAA had called for Assam
bandh in demand for ST for Adivasis. A group of Adivasis came out for picketing
at Paneri TE. The police tried to prevent them but the procession marched
forward. Without any provocation the police fired at the crowed and 8 persons
were killed in the firing. They were Nathaniel Munda, Dambu Hasa Purty, Sanika
Sawansi, Joseph Barla, Mangra Gowala, Basdeo Gowala, Jiten Tanti, and Arun
Tanti.
Lakra of Gossaigaon(president), Joseph Minz of
lakhimpur (general secretary) and Bosco Chermako of gossaigoan. Several leaders
of AASAA sacrificed their life for the society and are listed names in martyrs
list
.
Beltola INCIDENCE:
-
In the year 2007 AASAA had called for procession at Guwahati in demand of ST
for Adivasis. There were about 5000 people gathered at Beltola playground for
the procession that was to culminate at Dispur Last Gate. When they took out
the procession local people objected and there was fight between Adivasis and
locals of Beltola. In the incident thousands of people were injured and one
Samson Lagori died in the incident.
Altogether 16 people sacrificed
their life in the movement of AASAA demanding ST status for Adivasis. Thousands
of people were wounded and thousands of people were tortured during the
agitational programs went to jail. Both the president of AASAA Mr. Rafel Kujur
and Secretary Mr. Joseph Minz were put behind the bars for Adivasi cause.
There were some other
organizations also who have fought for ST status for Adivasis like Adivasi Sewa
Samity (ASS) and some underground organizations like Adivasi Cobra Militants of
Assam (ACMA), Birsa Commando Force (BCF) and Adivasi National Liberation Army
(ANLA) etc.
Role of Adivasi organization in “Assertion
for Indigenous people status”:-
India got freedom on 15th of August 1947 but the
Adivasi community was not free from the slavery of colonial planters. Still the
gardens were under colonial planters. The Indian Government never paid
attention, neither did Assam Government. Adivasis organized themselves under
the leadership of their own community and continued the struggle for their
right as Indian citizen. Here I like to mention the major organizations and
their struggle for society.
·
Adivasi Council of Assam (ACA):- After
independence Adivasis were mainly demanding
for Scheduled Tribe status in Assam. Visit of Jaipal Singh Munda (MP) the “Manrang
Gomke”(Chief Leader or Head ) in the month of March 1958 ignited the mass on
scheduling issue(14th March 1958 Hindustan Standard, Kolkatta ). He said how
same constitution will differ for two brothers one at Assam and other in
Bengal. Being the member of constitution drafting committee he knew that only
political tactics will provide ST status to Adivasis. Therefore, Jaipal Singh
Munda and Sushil Bage (MLA Bihar) visited Assam to organize people to demand ST
status. During his visit, 1958 Adivasi council of Assam was formed and meetings
were held at several places under the leadership of Francis Hans, Bishal Topno
of Lakhimpur and Simon Soren of Gossaigaon.
·
·
Assam Tea Tribe Student Association (AATTSA):- Chotnagpuria Chatra Sangha formed under the leadership of Simon Singh Horo & Santosh
Topno on 28th December 1947. The same organization later came to be known as
Assam Tea Tribe Student Association. During 1984-85 it leads a strong movement
under the leadership of Lokeswar Kurmi (President) and Bhagirath Karan
(Secretary). Their movement ended with an accord with AGP Government. According
to understating ATTSA got four AGP tickets for Assembly seats. All of the ATTSA
leaders lost in the election. However AATTSA created a fake identity such us
Tea Tribe which is not accepted by Experts. On 14th August 2006 Mr. Silvius
Condapan raised the bill at parliament to include Adivasis in the ST list.
Tribal Minister said that with regard to 97 communities, which are clubbed
under one caption of tea tribes, the State Government has itself stated in its
latest report that they do not have primitive traits and that they are not
geographically isolated. The RGI has stated that they have
furnished their comments four times - in the year 1978, 1981, 1995 and 2005 but
he did not support the proposa because Assam Government sent wrong report. In
the year of 1985 central government was about to give Scheduled Tribe status to
nine Adivasi tribes of Assam. But the then labour minister Barki Prasad Telga
and ATTSA leader Mr. Bagirath Karan opposed and sent a resolution to Assam
government to oppose the central government’s move. Struggle for Scheduling is
still going on in several forms.
Another great contribution of the movement was
formation of organization. All Adivasi Womens Association (AAWAA), Adivasi
Sahitya Sabha (ASS) and many NGOs were formed to work for Adivasi Society.
Several Adivasi Mahasabhas were organized which took resolutions and plans to
strengthen the community. A section of youth started underground movement like
Adivasi Securiy Force (ASF), Birsa Commando Force (BCF) Adivasi National Liberation
Army (ANLA), and Adivasi Cobra Militant (ACM)
.
The movements and organizations have today lost
their strength due to lack of leadership. Today other organizations are also
silent about the grave situation of Adivasis for several reasons.
·
The trade unions: - trade union started in the year of 1939 with the registration of labour organizations
of Assam. Syllate Cachar Cha Bagan Mazdoor Union and Upper Assam Tea Company Labour
union registered on 27th April 1939. Assam Cha Mazdoor Sangha formed under the
banner of Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) on 9th August 1958 is
the largest trade union in the tea garden of Assam with largest membership. The
organization today becames just a means to capture the political power for
congress. It raises fund for the congress from the labourers and provides vote
bank. They are not interested in the development of the labourers and the Community. Because of this trade union congress retains its
power in Assam. The former congress president of Assam Debokanto Baruah said,
“So long as Alis and Coolies are with the congress party, it does not care for
any body.”Several leaders were elected to parliament and legislative Assembly
but no body cared for the community. Leaders like Pawan singh Ghatwar, Silvius
Condapan, Prithvi Majhi etc are elected from this community but they have done
nothing for the community.
·
Steps taken by the Assam Govt. on the issue of
Scheduling of Adivasis:
As ST movement of
Adivasis was growing stronger and stronger every day the government of Assam
raised the issue to the Central Government in a very diplomatic way.
The Government of Assam
made several correspondences with the Central Government for inclusion of
Adivasis in the ST list.
In the correspondence,
there were two major aspects: one was to remove the area restriction and the
other was fresh inclusion of Adivasis in the ST list.
Prithibi Majhi (the then
speaker of Assam Assembly) in his letter requested to remove the area
restriction vide letter no.LADS96/08 dated 06/01/96.
The remaining letters are
with regard to new inclusion of Adivasis in the Scheduled tribe List.
Shri. Prithibi Majhi with
the help of Adivasi Council prepared a list of 97 communities under Tea&
Ex-Tribe communities.
The letters failed to
convince the Central Government and the Registrar General of India for the
following reasons.
- The letters
were not able to present the Adivasis as schedule tribe. 5 major character
of tribal was missing in the reports.
- The letters
presented Tea & Ex-Tea tribes to be included in the ST list and not
the Adivasis. The Registrar General of India rejected the term “Tea
tribe”. Only a few letters mentioned about the Adivasis.
- The list of
97 communities was very confusing because it includes Schedule tribes and
Schedule castes. The Schedule castes cannot be made Schedule Tribe as the
letter said to include them to schedule tribe list.
- Many of the
letters requested central Government to include Adivasis with other communities
like Ahom, koch Rajbanshis, Moran, Motok etc. which is not possible for
the RGI.
Adivasi
Mahasabha:
The ADIVASI MAHASABHA is a huge and the biggest mass gathering programme
of the Adivasis of Assam organized annually for evaluation and planning
activities by the “All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA)”. This is
also very effective event for creating public opinion and consensus on certain
issues like wage and assertion of indigenous identity and ST status. This programme is attended by over 3000 to
6000 delegates/representatives and more than 50,000-100,000 Adivasis from all
over the state of Assam and is held for a period of 3 - 4 days. The first 2 - 3
days are meant for discussion and planning which mainly include ‘Delegate
Sessions’, ‘Group Discussions’ and ‘Cultural Programmes’. By the 2nd
/ 3rd day of the programme they come out with few “resolutions” and a “Plan of
Action” for carrying out the future course of action both at the Central as
well as at the district levels respectively. These “resolutions” and “Plan of
Action” are read out, approved and declared publicly during the MAHASABHA. And
the last day is meant for ‘Cultural Procession’ in the morning and ‘Open
Session’ in the afternoon, which is attended by 50,000 to sometimes even more
than 1,00,000 Adivasis throng from different districts and parts of Assam. The
“Chief Guest” and the other distinguished and honourable guests are invited for
this ‘Open Session’.
The ADIVASI MAHASABHA is a platform not just for all the Adivasis of
Assam to come together under one roof and discuss about their issues, problems
and evaluate and analyze the process and progress of their overall growth and
development but is also a time for the invited guests, leaders and politicians to
observe, analyse, experience and learn, as well as share and express their
solidarity with the 70 lakhs Adivasi communities of Assam. It may also be noted
that in a culturally and ethnically volatile region like Assam, the ADIVASI
MAHASABHA also strives and contributes towards bringing all sections of people
together thus promoting the feeling of oneness and peace with other communities
in the region which gradually contribute towards “NATION BUILDING”.
AASAA, established on 2nd July 1996
organized the first Adivasi Mahasabha at Lakhimpur in the year 1997, after
which every year (excluding few years in between) the Adivasi Mahasabha has
been organized to bring unity, awareness and feeling of Adivasi nationalism in
the community. The last Mahasabha was organized at Dubi in the district of
North Lakhimpur, Assam in January, 2017 which like the previous year marked a
historic event with the main theme “ASSAM
ADIVASI SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS”. It will ever be remembered in times
to come.
The details of the previous ADIVASI MAHASABHAs are as follows:
1.
The 1st
ADIVASI MAHASABHA was held in the year 1997 at Lakhimpur, Assam. The former M.P
- Late Dr. Ram Dayal Munda was the Chief Guest for the open session.
2.
The 2nd
ADIVASI MAHASABHA was held in the year 1999 at Dhekiajuli in the district of
Sonitpur, Assam. One of the previous State Labour Minister and Ex-M.P - Sjt.
Joseph Toppo was the Chief Guest for the open session.
3.
The 3rd
ADIVASI MAHASABHA was held in the year 2000 at Dibrugarh, Assam. The former DONER
Minister – Sjt. Pawan Singh Ghatowar was the Chief Guest for the open session.
4.
The 4th
ADIVASI MAHASABHA was held in the year 2001 at Mazbat in the district of
Udalguri, Assam. The former Chief Minister of Assam – Sjt. Tarun Gogoi was the
Chief Guest for the open session.
5.
The 5th
ADIVASI MAHASABHA was held in the year 2002 at Sarupathar in the district of
Golaghat, Assam. The former Revenue, Labour & Employment Minister – Sjt.
Prithvi Majhi was the Chief Guest for the open session.
6.
The 6th
ADIVASI MAHASABHA was held in the year 2003 at Guwahati. The former Chief
Minister of Assam – Sjt. Tarun Gogoi was the Chief Guest for the open session.
7.
The 7th
ADIVASI MAHASABHA was held in the year 2005 at Sariohjan, Bokajan in the
district of Karbi Anglong, Assam. The former Chief Minister of Jharkhand – Sjt.
Arjun Munda was the Chief Guest for the open session.
8.
The 8th
ADIVASI MAHASABHA was held in the year 2011 at Mazbat in the district of
Udalguri, B.T.A.D, Assam. The present President of Adivasi Sahitya Sabha – Mr.
Wilfred Topno was the Chief Guest for the open session.
9.
The
historical 9th ADIVASI MAHASABHA was held in the year 2012 at Doomni in the
district of Baksa, B.T.A.D, Assam. The 9th ADIVASI MAHASABHA is considered as a
historical event because of declaration of the draft document of “Assam Adivasi
Vision 2020”. The present Chief of B.T.A.D – Sjt. Hagrama Mohilary was the
Chief Guest for the open session.
10. The 10th ADIVASI MAHASABHA was held in
the year 2013 at Missa in the district of Nogaon, Assam. Sjt. Prithibi Majhi,
the then Minister, Revenue and Disaster Management, Labour & Employment,
Tea Tribes Welfare, Govt. of Assam, was the Chief Guest for the open session.
11. The 11th ADIVASI MAHASABHA was held in the
year 2014 at Moran Commerce College Playground, Moran, Dibrugarh from 28th
to 30th January, 2014. Sjt. Paban Singh Ghatowar, Hon’ble Union
Minister of DoNER, GoI, was the Chief Patron of the event and Chief Minister of
Assam Sjt. Tarun Gogoi (represented by Sjt. Prithibi Majhi) was the invited
Chief Guest for the open session.
12. The 12th
ADIVASI MAHASABHA was held in the year 2015 at Kokrajhar, BTAD, Assam. The
Chief Guest for the open session was Dr. Rameshwar Oraon, the then Chairperson
of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, Govt. of India, New Delhi.
13. The 13th ADIVASI MAHASABHA was held in the
year 2016 at Dhekiajuli, in the district of Sonitpur, Assam. The Chief Guest
for the open session was Sjt. Tarun Gogoi,the then Chief Minister of Assam.
14. The 14th ADIVASI MAHASABHA was held in the
year 2017 at Dubi in the district of North Lakhimpur, Assam. Sjt. Pallab Lochan
Das, Cabinet Minister, Labour & Employment, Land & Revenue, Govt. of
Assam, was the Chief Guest.
Accordingly, even
this year, the All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA), in collaboration
with all other Adivasi organizations and the local people of Udalguri district
is going to organize the 15th ADIVASI MAHASABHA at Khokhabasti –
Bhollakash, in the district of Udalguri, Assam, from 18th – 21st
January, 2018, where the main theme will be “TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH ORIGINAL IDENTITY AND LAND”.
In the 9th Adivasi Mahasabha the “Assam Adivasi
Vision 2020” was finalized and declared by the Adivasi organizations. Under this vision it was dedicated that each
year until 2020 Adivasi society will concentrate all its focus in a
concentrated manner on different Adivasi issues. Thus, after declaration, the
year 2012 was with special focus on “S.T demand”. Accordingly that year
many crucial events took place – several demonstrations at Delhi, Dispur, at
each district headquarters as well as at block levels. Various workshops and
consultation programmes and meetings were conducted. The Adivasi delegates met
the highest State functionaries of the nation, heads of parties, Registrar General
of India and their ST Struggle saw a new dimension with wide publicity. The
fight for ST will continue.
Accordingly, the year 2013 headed with the theme “ADIVASI PEHCHAN – Hamar Bhasa, Hamar Sanskriti, Hamar Itihas (ADIVASI
IDENTITY – Our Language, Our Culture, Our History)” and accordingly the several activities of the year were focused on
promotion of language, culture as well as for research on Adivasi History,
which are still on process and would continue. In the year 2014, the
theme of the Adivasi Mahasabha was “HAMAR MATI AUR HAMAR BANAL BAGAN HAMAR
HAQ (Our Land Our Nurtured Tea Garden Our Right)” and accordingly
activities were planned during the delegate sessions to collectively work
towards achieving the objectives and target of the theme. The theme for the
year 2015 was “ADIVASIS, SONS OF THE
SOIL OF NORTH-EAST INDIA, LIVE A DIGNIFIED LIFE”. So, in that year the
focus was given on ensuring the indigenous identity of Adivasis so as to live a
dignified life. In the year 2016, the main theme for the Adivasi Mahasabha was “HAR ADIVASI SIKCHHIT ADIVASI (Every
Adivasi Educated Adivasi)”. Accordingly, action plans and strategies were
made to collectively work towards achieving the objectives and target of the
theme so as to ensure an Adivasi society which is educated, literate, developed
and progressive. The Adivasi Mahasabha for the year 2017 was again a historic
one because it focused on giving importance to the aims and objectives set by
the United Nations for “Sustainable Development Goals” which led towards
developing the concept of Assam Adivasi Sustainable Development Goals or AASDG
2030. Accordingly, the main theme for this year was “ASSAM ADIVASI SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS”. And gradually, the
main theme for the 15th Adivasi Mahasabha 2018 will be “TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH
ORIGINAL IDENTITY AND LAND”. Accordingly, the delegates during the
Mahasabha delegate sessions will discuss debate, analyse, plan and make
strategies to implement those action plans collectively and work towards
achieving the objectives and target of the theme.
Mahasabha is one rare, special and very unique
occasion for Adivasis of Assam. The Adivasi thinkers, intellectuals, social
activists, Adivasi politicians, leaders of all levels, farmers, youth, common tea
garden workers and others from Assam, outside Assam and from even outside the
country will come, discuss and debate on the issue of Sustainable Development,
Original Identity and Land Rights of the Adivasis. There will be strategic
plans to further and ensure the decisions and resolutions passed during the
sessions which will enable them to highlight as well as address and resolve the
issues. Each Adivasi organizations, social activists and the community at large
will go back with big vision, plan, motivation and oath to make a well
DEVELOPED and PROGRESSIVE ADIVASI COMMUNITY and SOCIETY upon whom others will
see as model.
Assam Legislative Assembly: -
Assam Assembly had twice passed resolutions to
grant Scheduled Tribe status to Adivasis.
Resolution says -“ the
house do now unanimously resolve to impress upon the government of India for
inclusion of Six communities of Assam namely Koch Rajbonshi, Tai-Ahom, Chutia,
Moran, Matak and Communities belonging to Tea Garden and Ex-Tea Garden Tribes
in the list of Scheduled Tribes(plains) of The state of Assam”.-5th
August 2004.
On the other resolution
which was only for Adivasis –“ Considering the Socio- economic condition of Tea
and Ex-Tea garden tribes and communities who enjoy the status of scheduled
castes and Scheduled Tribes, in their original states, This house do now
unanimously resolve to recommended to the Govt. of India for inclusion of 42
tribes of tea and ex-Tea Garden tribes (Adivasis) as shown in Annexure -1 in the list of Scheduled
Tribes (Plain and Hills as the case may be) and 40 castes of tea and ex-tea
garden communities as shown in annexure-II for inclusion in the list of
Scheduled cast.” – 8th April 2005.
In
return Central Government has answered through the Registrar General of India.
It was also raised bill
in the parliament but due to lack of proper justification, RGI rejected the proposal.
The reasons for rejecting the enlisting of Adivasis in the Schedule tribe list
are as follows:-
- Government of
Assam was not in favour of inclusion of Adivasis in the list of Scheduled
Tribe.
In
the year 1978 Ministry of Home Affairs recommended 14 tribes of Tea garden
labour community but the Assam Government had disagreed and said that the
migrant labour were better off than the local tribal.
- RGI feels
that Adivasis have lost their Tribal characters.
- There will be
a political situation for around 1 crore population i.e. 50% of the Assam
population will be Schedule Tribe resulting in Scheduled State. The ruling
class will be sent out of power.
- Tea Garden
Labour or Tea Tribe Term is not acceptable for inclusion in the list.
- RGI has not received any ethnographic
data in support of Adivasis from the Assam
institute of Research for Tribes and Scheduled Castes.
Each of the above points is
essential to deal with.
Point 1. is not of much
relevance today after the passing of
resolution in the Assembly. Almost all have agreed to the demand of
listing Adivasis in the list of Schedule tribe is justified.
Point No.2. need fact
finding, evidences and proofs that Adivasis are still carrying the characteristics of tribals. Adivasi have their language and culture. The
facts should be presented to the RGI.
Point no.3. We have to
separate Schedule castes from Schedule Tribes. Also take the actual population
of each tribe. Better put less population if we have no actual data.
Point no 4. Oppose the
Tea Tribe term or Tea Garden Labour term and instead popularize the term
“Adivasi”. All the correspondence to RGI or Central Government should contain
Adivasis in place of Tea Tribe.
Point no. 5. Prepare
empirical ethnographic of each tribes and give to Assam Institute of Research
for Tribal and Scheduled Castes.
RGI has given opportunity
to Adivasis to consider their case if proper evidence is provided to RGI.
Conclusion:
All Adivasi Student
Association of Assam (AASAA) has played a vital role in
uplifting the marginalized Adivasi community through the right based
movement. The Movement has several
achievements.
1.
It has established a new Identity as
Adivasi Community. This has created unity among the different sub-community.
2.
The Agitation programs have brought
confident and fearless society.
3.
Awareness building and empowerment has been a
great extent the contribution of the AASAA.
4.
Wage campaign has brought hike in wages in
the tea Garden from Rs.49/- to Rs. 137/- benefiting to more 20 lakhs of
people.
5.
The movement has created several social
and political leaders.
6.
It has been successful in brining
awareness regarding Indigenous status for Adivasis in Assam.
7.
Adivasi Movement is one of the strong
movements in Assam.
We hope Adivasi Student
Association will be able to change the Society and bring development.
[i] Assam Tribune Dated 24 March 2018. http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/sp.asp?id=2018/mar2418/BigPage9.jpg
Making of a New Identity for the Adivasis of Assam by Dr. Kamal Kumar
Tanti-2016
[iv] Barat Buranji By Parfulla
Kumar Baruah and Dr. Tusdk Amanull Hussain-1989(Banlata, Guwahati)
[vi] A History of
Assam by Sir, Edward Gait-1926
[vii]
https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/assam-rally-to-assert-indigenous-tag-216531
[viii] Adivasi Awaz 2008
published by Adivasi Sahitya Sabha
ix. All Adivasi Student’s Association of Assam (AASAA) :- AASAA was formed on 2nd July
1996 as a result of the ethnic clash of Kokrajhar. Initially it worked well to solve the problems of Adivasis. It was a strong organization during 1996 to 2003. For the first time it was able to raise the demands of Adivasis at Delhi. Adivasi masses were able to lead strong movement demanding their rights from the government under the leadership of Justin
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