Goalpara, April 13: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today declared that a tripartite meeting will be held between the Assam Government, Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC), and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to explore granting constitutional status to the council—an issue that has long been central to the Rabha community’s aspirations.
The meeting will be held before August 15.
A national seminar on “Land Rights, Self-Determination, and Constitutional Status for Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC)” was held recently in New Delhi, in which the issue of constitutional safeguards to protect the land and identity of the indigenous Rabha community was voiced.
Organized collaboratively by the All Rabha Students’ Union (ARSU), All Rabha Women Council (ARWC), Sixth Schedule Demand Committee (SSDC), and the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC), Dudhnoi, Assam, the seminar sought to address the urgent need for constitutional safeguards to protect the land and identity of the indigenous Rabha community.
Tankeswar Rabha of RHAC, in the seminar, made an earnest appeal to the Chief Minister of Assam to expedite the process for granting constitutional status to the RHAC. He emphasized that political will is key to achieving this goal and called upon the NDA-led central government to address the concerns of the RHAC’s indigenous communities.
Chief Minister Sarma, who attended the swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected members of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) on April 13, declared the formation of a Rabha Development Council to address the needs of Rabha populations residing outside RHAC areas. In a symbolic gesture, he also announced plans to erect a 100-foot-tall statue of Raja Dadan, a revered Rabha historical figure, at the RHAC secretariat.
“NDA has recently secured a historic mandate, and this dynamic team will do everything possible to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Rabha and other communities,” he said.
The April 2 elections marked a decisive victory for the Rabha Hasong Joint Struggle Committee and its allies, who won 33 of the 36 seats. The Congress secured one seat, while two Independents were also elected.
Tankeshwar Rabha took oath as Chief Executive Member (CEM) for a third consecutive term, while Sonaram Rabha and Alka Rabha were sworn in as Chairman and Deputy Chairm, respectively. Following their induction, the remaining 33 elected members of the council also took their oaths in the presence of the Chief Minister.
In his address, CM Sarma lauded the high voter turnout in the April 2 elections—70% in Goalpara and 67.55% in Kamrup—and expressed gratitude to all communities, especially the Rabha people, for strengthening grassroots democracy.
Due to the enforcement of the model code of conduct for upcoming Panchayat elections, the Chief Minister refrained from announcing new schemes or financial packages. However, he assured that after the polls, each of RHAC’s 36 constituencies would receive separate development funding.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries including BJP State President Dilip Saikia, Cabinet Ministers Dr. Ranoj Pegu and Jayanta Malla Baruah, MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi, senior RHAC officials, and student and women leaders from Rabha organizations.
From Goalpara district, prominent winners from the Joint Platform included Tankeshwar Rabha, Anadi Sarkar, Phanindra Rabha, and Prabodh Kalita. BJP candidates Bhairav Kachari, Suchitra Nath, and Premajyuli Rabha were victorious. Congress’s Parama Rabha and Independent Modit Rabha won their respective seats.
From Kamrup District, the Joint Rabha Committee dominated, with key wins by Sonaram Rabha, Jyotish Chandra Rabha, Romakanta Rabha, Minati Boro, and Ashok Kumar Rabha. BJP candidates Ajit Rabha, Meghali Rabha, and Kamaleswar Rabha emerged victorious, while Independent candidate Relinna J. Sangma secured the Luki seat.
