The Koch, Rajbanshi, and Moran communities in Assam have held large-scale student protests, demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and greater recognition, which has led to significant tension with the local government and sparked debate about media silence and the suppression of dissent.
Protest Details and Demands
Thousands of students and community members from the Koch, Rajbanshi, and Moran groups marched in Tinsukia, Dhubri, and other regions of Assam in early September 2025. Their primary demand was Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, a promise made repeatedly by both national and state governments since 2014, notably during the BJP campaign and by PM Modi, but never fulfilled. In addition to ST status, the All Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU) called for a separate Kamatapur state and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule to safeguard indigenous identity, land rights, and cultural resources.
Moran Students’ Union leaders highlighted decades of broken government promises and threatened economic blockades if their
issues remain unmet.
The AKRSU enforced a district-wide bandh and torchlight processions, raising slogans for ST status and statehood.
Government Response and Police Action
The Assam government responded with a lathi-charge (baton charge) on student protestors, notably in Dhubri during peaceful marches, leaving many injured, including women. In response to mounting criticism by opposition leaders such as Gaurav Gogoi, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ordered the suspension of the officer-in-charge in Golakganj and announced a five-day inquiry into the use of excessive force.
The police crackdown led to district shutdowns and widespread disruption, indicating the protestors’ resolve.
The government promised strict action against personnel found guilty of overreach, but activists believe this is insufficient and indicative of a wider disregard for indigenous rights.
History of Promises
The demand for ST status by these communities is decades old. The BJP, specifically PM Modi, promised inclusion within six months during the prior elections, but neither his government nor earlier Congress/AGP governments delivered. Instead, proposals remain trapped in bureaucratic processes that require state and central approvals, with no mechanism for interim ST status, even as frustration grows.
Media Silence and Suppression
Unlike coverage of other national events, the mainstream media has exhibited silence and a lack of reporting on these protests in Assam. This absence is seen as a deliberate attempt to suppress dissent and voices against the government, part of a pattern where student and youth-led movements receive scant attention unless they fit the dominant narrative or occur in metropolitan centres.
Comparison With National Trends: Delhi Student Protests
The discontent is not limited to Assam. Recently in Delhi, students protesting against alleged paper leaks and examination malpractices were also lathicharged, revealing a larger national pattern of government intolerance for youth protests on issues of education, health, employment, and censorship. The youth are broadly frustrated with the present dispensation’s failure to improve basic governance and protect democratic rights.
Lessons From Neighbours
There is a growing debate about whether the Government of India should learn from neighbouring countries, where handling of such protests often relies on negotiation and dialogue rather than force. The current approach risks alienating young citizens and exacerbating communal and social fractures at a time when reconciliation and reform are urgently needed.
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Here is a timeline of the Assam protests involving the Koch, Rajbanshi, and Moran student communities:
July–August 2025: Sporadic protests occur across Assam by indigenous communities, including Koch-Rajbanshi, Moran, and others, demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and recognition ahead of the 2026 state assembly elections. The Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union also calls for a separate Kamatapur state.
September 3, 2025: The Moran Students’ Union organises a massive rally in Tinsukia, with over 20,000 people demanding ST status and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule. The All Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU) holds a torchlight procession for similar demands and statehood; police and paramilitary forces stop the march, leading to injuries among protestors from a baton charge. A 12-hour bandh (shutdown) is subsequently called in Dhubri district.
September 4, 2025: The 12-hour bandh called by the AKRSU disrupts normal life: schools and colleges close, transport is affected, and public spaces are deserted. The bandh passes peacefully but signals intensified agitation.
September 9–10, 2025: Protests continue and escalate. Moran students issue an ultimatum to the government to meet their demands within 72 hours or face an economic blockade starting September 15. More rallies are held in Tinsukia and surrounding areas, with widespread participation and peaceful marches.
September 11, 2025: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announces an inquiry after police lathi-charge against Koch Rajbongshi demonstrators in Dhubri District. Two police officers, including the Officer-in-Charge of Golakganj, are suspended following complaints of excessive force.
September 13–14, 2025 (upcoming): PM Modi is scheduled to visit Assam and Northeast India, putting pressure on the State and Centre to respond concretely to the protestors' demands for ST status, Sixth Schedule inclusion, and greater autonomy.
The Koch, Rajbanshi, and Moran student protests epitomise the rising tide of youth frustration in India, directly challenging government promises, media complicity, and the broader pattern of crackdowns on dissenting voices. The government’s actions stand in stark contrast to the expectations set by its own electoral commitments, and the persistent media silence only deepens perceptions of authoritarianism and control.
References:
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/turbulent-northeast-awaits-pm-modis-visit-not-just-manipur-assam-upset-too
https://thelogicalindian.com/over-20000-morans-protest-in-assams-tinsukia-demand-st-status-ahead-of-pm-modis-assam-visit/ https://www.sentinelassam.com/topheadlines/sivsagar-protest-police-action-on-koch-rajbanshi-demonstrators
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOd6SOnk2Sc/
https://www.jagonews24.com/en/international/news/85529
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOc2vc0FLcU/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOdmCA3kmLu/
https://x.com/INCIndia/status/1966119843800948988
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2150795
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOdI5XFj_A3/
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