Assam: Massive rally over the issue of anti-conversion and delisting of ST status organised by JDSSM, more than 55000 tribals participated

On March 26 a massive rally ‘Chalo Dispur’ was organised at Janajati Gana Samavesh at Khanapara Veterinary Filed Guwahati. As many as 55000 tribal people participated from 30 districts of Assam in the rally wearing their traditional dresses and carrying folk Musical instruments.

The rally was organised by Janajati Dharm Sanskriti Surakshya Manch, a tribal group. The leaders argued that tribals who have converted to other regions should not be given any facilities mean by the Tribal Scheduled Tribes groups.

Draped in traditional attire, thousands of tribals from across the districts conducted foot-march, members of these communities then staged a huge rally seeking appropriate amendments to Article 342 of the Constitution to prevent tribals from converting to other religions and at the same time enjoying the rights given to STs.

The rally began with Tribal rituals performed by Boro, karbi, Tiwa, Dimasha, rabha and Mising tribe of Bhubneshwar. After the rituals were completed, Bogiram Boro president of Janajati Dharm Sanskriti Suraksha Manch (JDSSM), Assam hoisted the flag. More than ten tribal folk dance troops performed their original folk dances during the program. The program was graced by nation-level officials like- Surya Narayan Suri, Akhil Bharatiya  Sangathan Mantri, JSM, Satyendra Singh, Speaker, JSM Central Observer, Prakash Singh Uike, Social Worker and Member JSM, MP, Ravindra Uike, Social Worker and MP.

The objectives of the Massive Tribal rally were:

• To Delist Converted ST’s who completely gave up their original tribal culture, customs, rituals, way of life and traditions after conversion.
• stop unethical conversion
• Demanding Amendment of Article 342 for ST and equalize with Article 341 for Scheduled Caste (if any SC person is converted to any other religion, automatically the person gets De-listed from SC reservation).