Assam Adivasis Vow to Oust BJP from Power if ST Status not Granted

Guwahati, February 29, 2020:

All Adivasi Students' Association of Assam, the apex body of adivasi students in the State, has amped up its demand to the Government to grant ST status to the community in the Bongaigaon district of Assam.

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Yesterday, at the Birjhora Tea Estate in Assam, the workers came out in droves to express their grievances, joining hands to put forth their demands, and were led in their protest song by several of their leaders from the neighboring areas.

At the protest, the tea workers' community also demanded the Government to increase the daily wage of the workers to Rs 351.33 per month, and to give land pattas for the tea workers swelling in forest areas.

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The tea workers were led in their cries of protest by their leaders who blamed the political parties for their woes and "backwardness".

"We have organized this function because of our long-running demand of ST . The Government has lied to us at every turn. The Congress lied to us for several years and betrayed us. In 2014, we defeated the Congress and elected the BJP. When (Prime Minister) Modi came to Assam, he promised that if he won the election, we would be given ST status within 3 months, but it has been 5 years, and no ST has been given", said Amrit Jojo, a prominent Adivasi leader from Bongaigaon.

The AASAA leader, Jojo, has also promised of "severe consequences" if the BJP fails to meet their demands. "Just like we defeated the Congress in 2014, we promise a similar fate to the BJP if they do not pay heed to out demands. These demands are not something new. We have always been ST", Jojo says.

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