On what geographical basis is new ST (Other) possible: BJSM

Our Correspondent

Kokrajhar: Bodoland Janajati Suraksha Mancha (BJSM) on Tuesday questioned Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary as to on what geographical basis the new ST (Other) was possible as suggested to the Group of Ministers.

The president of the BJSM, Janaklal Basumatary said, “I have seen the note of Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary as suggestion probably to GOM to specify the proposed new ST (O) formula to six communities.” He said when the government would grant ST status to some communities, the government would have to provide reservation to all of them.

“You cannot differentiate between old ST and new ST. In Assam there are two STs- hills and plains on geographical basis. Now you propose to create new ST and place them as ST (other). What is their geographical area? You have to specify the geographical area. In fact there cannot be ST (other) category as ST also is backward class and SC too is backward class. Those who cannot be ST or SC are given other backward class status,” he said, adding that the present proposed new ST already had Other Backward Class with 27 per cent reservation. Thus no one can transform them into ST (other) and just transfer their reservation to ST other. He also said by changing category one could not give ST status to OBC category people. There is no provision for that in the Constitution.

“When you grant ST status to someone in certain area, you cannot deprive them to get proportionate number of constituency in Parliament and State Legislature under Articles 330 and 332 of the Constitution of India, you cannot deprive them just to protect the political right of existing ST community. By this, you cannot reason for amendment of Article 330 and Article 332 of the Constitution. Why is this process necessary?” Basumatary questioned.

Basumatary said in OBC status they were all getting reservation except constituency and land reservation. He said the MP had unnecessarily suggested to make them ST. He said the new ST was superior educationally, culturally, economically, linguistically, socially, politically and above all numerically. Then how can you give them equal status ST with the existing weaker and vulnerable ST community? The fundamental rights under Article 14 , 15(4), 16 and 45 of the Constitution against the weaker minority ST community of Assam. So the bill itself is illegal, unconstitutional,” said. He also said the bill itself was liable to be withdrawn. He further that said Daimary, the only RS MP representing the tribal community of Assam, should raise objection since the bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha cleverly by the Union Tribal Affairs ministry.

The tribal leader said the BJP has done this permanent damage to the existing ST. Now it is the tribal MPs who have responsibility to stop the bill from proceeding further. He said the bill was fraud and made with malafide intention, not for protection but for votes of the advanced communities.

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