Boko, Sept 11: The Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) in Assam has been drawn into a controversy over allegations against its chief executive member (CEM) Tankeswar Rabha not hailing from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community.
It’s been alleged that his original title is Sarania, which does not belong to the Rabha community.
“According to documents, his father was Sitaram Sarania, grandfather – Gahin Sarania, great grandfather – Laumura Sarania, Tankeswar Rabha,” said Ranjan Rabha, assistant secretary of Kamrup District Rabha Sahitya Sabha while addressing a press meet here on Tuesday.
Citing Rabha customary law that “does not include any Sarania” as part of the tribe, Ranjan Rabha accused the CEM of deceiving the Rabha people by misrepresenting the community.
He also alleged that Tankeswar Rabha had just changed his title from Sarania, which does not make him eligible to be a Rabha tribal.
“According NRC data, Tankeswar Rabha’s title and his forefathers’ title is Sarania,” he said.
He urged the CEM not to mislead the people living in RHAC and disclose his “real identity”.
He also urged Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Rabha to remove Tankeswar Rabha as CEM and appoint an in-charge in the post till next RHAC election.
Ranjan Rabha was accompanied by Thaneswar Rabha, Sreenath Rabha and among others from Rabha organisations.
