AKRSU expels general secretary Boloram Barman, plans Guwahati ST protest

The All Koch-Rajbongshi Students' Union (AKRSU), one of the main bodies campaigning for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Koch-Rajbongshi community in Assam, has expelled its general secretary, Boloram Barman.

The union said Barman was removed over allegations of anti-organisational activities. The decision was taken at an executive committee meeting at the AKRSU headquarters on Saturday, India Today NE reported.

Who takes over

AKRSU president Manoj Kumar Roy announced the expulsion at a press conference after the meeting. He said representatives from 27 district units of the organisation backed the decision.

As part of the reshuffle, working president Maniram Roy has been made acting general secretary, while Sanjiv Koch takes over as working president.

The union did not spell out the specific activities it held against Barman. His response to the expulsion was not available, and it was not clear whether he would challenge the decision.

Protest planned on November 16

Despite the internal rift, the union said it would press ahead with its agitation. It announced a major protest in Guwahati on November 16 to push the community's long-standing demand for ST status, calling it part of its ongoing movement for constitutional recognition.

The bigger picture

The Koch-Rajbongshi community, spread across lower and north Assam and neighbouring parts of West Bengal, is one of six Assam communities whose demand for ST status has been pending for years. The others are the Tai Ahom, Chutia, Matak, Moran and tea tribes (Adivasi) communities.

Their demand is politically sensitive because existing tribal groups in the state fear that adding new communities to the ST list would dilute their share of reserved jobs, seats and benefits. Student and community bodies from the six groups have held repeated protests over the delay, and the issue is expected to remain a flashpoint in Assam politics.

A split at the top of AKRSU could test the union's ability to mobilise ahead of the planned November 16 protest. NEInsider will update this story if Barman or the union shares more details.