Adivasis of Assam

A new chapter for Assam’s Adivasi community Assam’s tea industry employs over a million workers, many of whom trace their ancestry to labourers brought to the state during the colonial era. Despite their contribution Plucking tea leaves in broad day light. The upcoming Bill is expected to pave the way for long-term empowerment and inclusion of the tea tribes within the state’s mainstream development framework. Sarma concluded his address by assuring the community that his government would continue to work closely with tea tribes to realise their aspirations. “This is not just a policy decision — it is a promise of equality and respect for those who built Assam’s tea heritage,” he said.

 

  📰 ATTSA’s 19th Biennial Session in Mariani: CM Sarma’s Announcements and New Leadership Introduction: In October 2025, the 19th Biennial Central Session of the All Tea Tribes Students’ Association of Assam (ATTSA) was held at Mariani College Ground in Jorhat district. The event brought together a large gathering of students, youth, social workers, and leaders from tea garden and Adivasi communities. Assam’s Chief Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, attended the program and delivered an inspiring speech focusing on education, development, employment, and land rights for the Tea Tribe community. Key Announcements by the Chief Minister 1. 🏛️ 3% Job Reservation: The Assam Government will introduce 3% reservation in Class I and II government jobs for Tea Tribe youth, effective this year. 2. Education Quota: Four seats in every medical college across Assam will be reserved for Tea Tribe students. 3. Land Rights Legislation: A new law will be introduced to secure land rights for Tea Ga...

 Adivasi Students Demand Caste Certificates by Specific Identity, Not Just “Tea Tribe” Tag Dibrugarh: On Tuesday, hundreds of members of the All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA) protested at Makum in Tinsukia district, demanding caste certificates based on specific Adivasi castes rather than the current broad labels used by the Assam government. At present, the government issues OBC certificates under four tea community categories: “We are not just tea labourers. We belong to distinct castes with our own culture and history,” said Albert Oreya, AASAA’s Tinsukia district president. The Adivasi tea workers’ ancestors came from the Chotanagpur plateau in the 1800s, brought by the British to Assam’s tea estates. While in states like Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh they get caste certificates for their exact caste, in Assam they are grouped together under tea-related labels. AASAA warned the BJP government to act before the upcoming state elections or face a community-...

Evictions Without Humanity: Intellectuals Slam Assam Government’s Actions Evictions Without Humanity: Public Appeal Against Assam Government’s Action. Protidin Time | 28 July 2025 Writers, intellectuals, journalists, and rights activists from Assam have issued a strong public statement condemning the ongoing mass evictions in Dhubri, Goalpara, Golaghat, and other districts. The appeal raises serious human rights concerns, including: Forced evictions of poor families who are Indian citizens, often with official land records. Evictions carried out without proper notice or rehabilitation, using force. Displaced people being falsely labelled as illegal infiltrators on social media. Vigilante groups blocking displaced persons returning to their native places, leaving many starving and homeless. A fatal incident during a clash between officials and evictees in Goalpara on July 17. Many evicted people are descendants of flood victims whose villages were wiped out by the Brahmaputra long ago. ...

google.com, pub-4050153128860636, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 🛑 Why Are Adivasis Being Treated Unjustly Over Land That Was Never Tea Estate Land? “ You drink tea every day—but do you know the hands that made it still have no land,no recognition, no respect? ” 🔵1. Land Lived on for Generations — Yet Called “Tea Garden Land” Today. Adivasis have lived, farmed, and built homes on these lands for decades, even before tea companies came.These lands were never used for tea cultivation, nor developed by any company. Still, they are today wrongly labeled as "tea estate land" just because they are near a tea garden. ❗ “How can land become tea land just because poor Adivasis live on it without papers?” 🏀2. No Land Records, No Patta — The Perfect Trap. Many of these lands have no clear land records due to British-era land systems. Adivasi families don’t have land pattas, not because they encroached—but because they were never given their rights. Now the government labels them as "i...

16 April's 2025 JOHAR  This report presents a consolidated overview of recent socio-political developments concerning the Adivasi community and tea garden workers in Assam, India. It focuses on labor rights, wage revisions, political engagement, and the persistent demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. It also highlights recent protests and systemic issues in welfare implementation as reported by government and independent bodies. 1. Introduction Assam's tea industry has historically been supported by labor from the Adivasi community, primarily descendants of tribal groups brought during British colonial rule. Despite their critical role in the economy, tea garden workers have long struggled with socio-economic disadvantages, limited political representation, and inconsistent implementation of welfare policies. This report outlines key events and developments from late 2023 to early 2025 that shed light on the evolving dynamics of this issue. 2. Wage Revisions and Political An...

google.com, pub-4050153128860636, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 "Salute to his Leadership" Pordip Nag was a prominent Adivasi leader from Assam, served as the president of the All Adivasi Students' Association of Assam (AASAA). Under his leadership, AASAA had been instrumental in advocating for the rights and welfare of the Adivasi community in Assam. The organization actively addresses issues such as education, labor rights, and social integration, striving to improve the socio-economic status of Adivasis in the region.  In addition to his role in AASAA, Nag had been involved in political initiatives aimed at empowering the Adivasi community. In the 2018 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly elections, he contested as an independent candidate from the Jagdalpur constituency, supported by the Sarv Aadivasi Samaj. This move was part of a broader effort to address the systemic exploitation faced by Adivasis and to ensure their representation in political processes.  Nag's commit...