SIVASAGAR: In a significant move, the All Assam Scheduled Caste Students’ Union (AASCSU) staged a massive protest at Dolmukh Chariali in Sivasagar on Friday, voicing concerns over alleged deprivation of SC communities from government welfare schemes. The protest targeted Minister Pijush Hazarika, demanding immediate action.
The organisation also opposed granting SC status to the Keot community, warning it could endanger the rights of existing Scheduled Castes. “If Keots are given SC status, it will pose a grave threat to the existing Scheduled Caste communities. It will dilute the limited constitutional safeguards we have and push us further to the margins,” an AASCSU spokesperson said during the protest.
Among their key demands were 16% reservation for SCs in jobs, education, Assam Assembly and Lok Sabha seats, land pattas for landless SC families, and identification of individuals using fake SC certificates for government jobs. As the union pressed for justice, the protest saw loud anti-government slogans.
However, AASCSU warned that Friday’s protest was just the beginning. “If our demands are not addressed, we will intensify our movement across the state. This is a fight for dignity, not just rights,” the leaders said.
The protest signals growing unrest among Assam’s SC population over perceived marginalisation under the current regime. By bringing the Keot issue and land rights to the forefront, the students’ union has effectively sounded an alarm on what they call “a slow erosion of constitutional protections” for vulnerable communities.
ALSO READ: Villagers of Lakhimpur stage heated protest over false promises of ruling party
ALSO WATCH: