Congress Accuses BJP of Betraying Assam’s Tea Tribes and Adivasis

In a strongly worded press conference held at Rajiv Bhawan on Monday, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) accused the BJP-led government of systematically betraying the tea tribe and Adivasi communities of Assam through broken promises, policy failures, and land manipulation.

Roselina Tirkey, Working President of the APCC, led the attack, alleging that both the state and central governments have repeatedly deceived these communities with hollow assurances. Citing the unfulfilled promise of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for tea tribes and Adivasis, a pledge made by the Narendra Modi government and supposedly to be fulfilled within 100 days of assuming power, Tirkey claimed Assam remains an exception, continuing discriminatory policies despite other states having extended ST benefits to these groups.

Joined by former MLA Raju Sahu, senior tea tribe leader Etowa Munda, and youth leader Pranjal Ghatowar, Tirkey stated that the basic needs of the tea garden-dominated regions, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, remain woefully unmet. She highlighted the vulnerability of women and children in these areas, pointing to rising incidents of violence and rape, and asserted that the tea tribe population is now living in deep uncertainty and fear.

Youth leader Pranjal Ghatowar accused the government of neglecting Adivasi and tea tribe youth in education and employment. “Our young people are being forced to migrate, many of whom never return. The BJP builds school buildings but doesn’t provide teachers. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma talks emotionally to mislead us, while denying real upliftment,” he said.

Ghatowar further alleged that during elections, the government uses cash transfers as a tool to secure votes, reducing the community to a seasonal political token.

Former Congress MLA Raju Sahu went further, accusing the government of pushing tea workers into malnutrition and anaemia. “The average tea worker’s body weight is now below 50 kilograms; many are unfit to even donate blood,” he said.

Sahu also raised alarm over recent legal amendments that allow up to 10% of tea garden land to be used for non-agricultural purposes. He claimed that ministers and MLAs close to the Chief Minister are purchasing vast tracts of land under the guise of development. Citing examples from Tinsukia district, he alleged that nearly 6,000 bighas of land from Sukanpukhuri and Kachujan tea estates have been sold off, with around 600 bighas earmarked for commercial use. “At a market value of ₹3 crore per bigha, this land could fetch ₹1,800 crore. Who is this government trying to make rich?” Sahu questioned.

He also cited a serious criminal allegation involving BJP leader Samudra Roy, who is accused of raping a Class VIII girl in Kattani village under Bordubi police station. Despite two years passing, no arrest has been made. The victim’s mother, Budhuni Prasad, allegedly committed suicide under pressure and threats. “This incident alone shows the government’s apathy towards the safety of tea tribe girls,” said Sahu.

Etowa Munda echoed similar concerns, stating that various welfare schemes for tea tribe and Adivasi communities have been curtailed under the BJP regime. He contrasted this with the Congress government’s record of implementing programs on wages, healthcare, scholarships, and drinking water.

The leaders concluded by declaring that under the leadership of APCC President Gaurav Gogoi, the tea tribe community is united and determined to fight back against what they termed as the BJP’s corruption, exploitation, and betrayal.

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