Kalita Community in Nalbari Rises for Justice: Massive Rally Seeks ST Status and Constitutional Rights
- PV Northeast
- Oct 27
- 2 min read
Nalbari, Assam —Hundreds of members of the Kalita community took to the streets of Nalbari on Sunday in a massive show of unity, demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) recognition and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
The protest, organized by the Kalita Janagosthi Sanmilan, began at the Government Higher Secondary School playground before marching through the town’s main streets. Protesters held banners and placards declaring messages such as “Land for Kalitas, Justice for Kalitas” and “Education is Our Right.”
●Voices from the Ground
Community leaders, students, and social activists joined the demonstration, emphasizing that the Kalita people have been struggling for land ownership rights, educational opportunities, and constitutional safeguards for decades.
Leaders of the Sanmilan clarified that the movement is non-political and solely aimed at securing the legal and social rights of their community. They also warned that if the state government does not respond soon, the agitation will spread to other districts across Assam.
●Memorandum Submitted to Chief Minister
Just a day before the protest, on October 25, the Sanmilan submitted a formal memorandum to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, urging the state government to grant ST status to the Kalita community.
The memorandum highlights the community’s long-standing appeal for recognition — including earlier petitions to the President of India (1988), the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs (2015), and discussions with senior leaders like Rajnath Singh (2016).
●Call for Immediate Government Action
Despite repeated efforts, the Sanmilan claims that the Assam government has not yet formed the expert committee required to evaluate their request. They appealed to the Chief Minister to constitute the committee immediately, review historical records, and move a resolution in the Assam Legislative Assembly to forward to the Central Government.
●Peaceful but Firm Appeal
The protest concluded peacefully, with leaders reiterating that the movement would continue until the Kalita community receives the constitutional and developmental rights they have been demanding.
“Our struggle is for justice, not politics. The government must act now to safeguard our future,” a representative of the Sanmilan stated.
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