Honoring the Legacy of Jatia Nayak Gomke Pradip Nag

A Visionary Leader for the Adivasi Community

                                                                         Mr.Wilfred Topno,

 President Adivasi Sahiya Sabha Assam

"They are denying us Scheduled Tribe (ST) status," declared Pradip Nag. Even while suffering from pain and weakness, his unwavering dedication to the Adivasi cause remained resolute. From his hospital bed at Medanta, just four days before his passing, he instructed Gomke Rejan—(revered as the "Iron Man of the Adivasis of Assam" for his statewide cycle rally demanding ₹351 wages for tea garden workers and ST status—and Gomke Dipak Nag—his cousin, actor-producer of the Mor Sangee Adivasi film, and General Secretary of AASAA—) to take urgent action. On April 4, 2025, the two leaders traveled to the residence of the President of India and submitted a memorandum outlining the Adivasi community's pressing demands to both the President and Home Minister Amit Shah.

On April 8, 2025, Gomke Pradip Nag succumbed to acute severe biliary pancreatitis and complications related to kidney and lung injuries at Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon. His fight for the Adivasi cause never wavered. Initially admitted to Times Hospital, Tezpur, due to stomach pain, he continued to inspire others through his strong voice and visionary leadership. Known as the "Adivasi Tiger," he captivated audiences with his powerful speeches, always striving for a stronger and more prosperous Adivasi society. He left his wife Priti Rekha Barla , daughter Angel Jeneliya Nag and Son Iyan Alwin  Nag.

 

The Dream of a Thriving Adivasi Society

This article delves into Gomke Pradip Nag's visions for the Adivasi community, highlighting his unwavering efforts toward identity, history, education, land rights, and cultural preservation.

1. Adivasi Identity

Pradip Nag firmly believed that regardless of their occupation—whether in tea gardens, paddy fields, or oil refineries—Adivasis remained Adivasis. He argued that no trade should dictate tribal status, and that ethnologically, a community may be considered a caste but not a tribe. He identified the "Tea Tribe" nomenclature as a major roadblock preventing Adivasis from gaining official tribal recognition. Under his leadership, the Adivasi Peace Accord was signed on September 15, 2022, marking a crucial step in securing Adivasi identityy in Assam.

2.  Schedule Tribe Status of Adivasi of Assam:

      This is the core of the issues of Adivasis of Assam.  It was 1950 when new constitution enact in Assam and Adivasis were DE scheduled from the list of depressed class. This is long standing demand of Adivasis of Assam. Long Agitation and movement of Adivasi community. Many martyr like Hemlal Sona, Andrius Marandi, Bosco Chermako, 8 martyr of Panery, etc. Adivasi has fought a long battle for ST. of Adivasis.

 

 3. Changing the Narrative of Adivasi History

Pradip Nag advocated for rewriting Adivasi history, shifting its focus from slavery and tea industry labor to recognizing Adivasis as the sons of the soil. Historically, Adivasi narratives have been intertwined with tea plantations, the Arkattis system, and indentured labor, but Nag emphasized that Adivasis had lived in Assam for over 5,000 years. He often referenced the Dao-Jali Hading archaeological site, which proved the presence of Astro-Asiatic Adivasi communities long before Mongoloid tribes arrived in the region.

3. Education for Adivasi Empowerment

Education remained a top priority for Pradip Nag, who personally assisted numerous Adivasi children in their academic journeys. Despite financial constraints, he connected students with political leaders—MLAs and MCLAs—to secure educational funding.

His interventions enabled many students, such as Philip Dhan and Crecencia Lakhra’s daughters, to pursue MBA and Nursing degrees, securing stable jobs in Delhi and Assam's medical colleges. He consistently encouraged young scholars, organizing district-level AASAA felicitation programs for matriculation and higher secondary graduates.

4. Land Rights and Ownership

Understanding the significance of land in Adivasi identity, Pradip Nag introduced the unique executive post of Land-Related Secretary within AASAA. Unlike other student organizations, AASAA prioritized land ownership issues. Nag personally attended training programs on land management, where experts, including retired IAS officer Islam Sir, guided Adivasi leaders on land acquisition. He passionately urged Adivasis to apply for land pattas, declaring, "If you have no land, you are not an Adivasi."

5. Preserving Adivasi Culture and Language

Nag championed the preservation of Adivasi languages and traditions, emphasizing that those seeking Scheduled Tribe status must first understand their cultural heritage. A skilled linguist, he fluently spoke Bodo, Mundari, Santali, Assamese, Hindi, English, and Adivasiya (Sadri). His dedication to cultural revival

led to the establishment of Johar Film Production, through which he helped produce several hit Adivasi films, giving new life to the community’s artistic expression.

 

 

Continuing the Legacy

Gomke Pradip Nag’s dreams serve as a roadmap for Adivasi development. As we honor his legacy, let us work collectively to realize his vision—a strong and flourishing Adivasi society, built on identity, education, land ownership, and cultural preservation.