AASAA Holds Protest in Dhubri Seeking ST Status and Higher Tea Worker Wages

Dhubri | Assam:
Members of the All Assam Adivasi Students’ Association (AASAA) staged a protest in Dhubri on Wednesday, renewing long-standing demands for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for Adivasi communities and an increase in the daily wage of tea garden workers to ₹550.

The demonstration was held near a government office in the district, where protesters raised slogans and displayed placards highlighting issues related to social recognition, economic security, and workers’ rights. According to AASAA leaders, the protest reflects growing frustration among Adivasi and tea labour communities over what they describe as prolonged delays in policy implementation despite repeated assurances from successive governments.

Speakers at the protest alleged that the absence of ST recognition continues to limit access to constitutional safeguards, educational opportunities, and welfare benefits for Adivasi groups. They further pointed out that existing wage levels for tea garden workers are inadequate to meet rising living costs, particularly in the face of inflation affecting essential commodities.

In addition to their core demands, the organisation called for stronger security measures and timely rehabilitation support for families affected by recent incidents of unrest in certain parts of the state. AASAA leaders stressed that unresolved social and economic grievances have deepened vulnerability within these communities.

Warning of a possible escalation, the association said it would intensify its agitation through wider district- and state-level protests if the government fails to respond within a defined timeframe. No official statement from the district administration or the state government had been issued at the time of filing this report.