Prioritize 6th Schedule, if BJP approaches for membership: Rabha leaders urge people

Boko, Sept 29: The BJP’s statewide membership drive in Assam has faced a lukewarm response, but leaders of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) have seized the opportunity to push forward their long-standing demand for Sixth Schedule status for the Council. This became evident through a statement made by Frylin R. Marak, an Executive Member (EM) of the RHAC. Marak urged the residents of the Rabha Hasong region to advocate for Sixth Schedule status if the BJP reaches out to them for membership.

Currently, the RHAC is not governed under this Schedule but has been seeking this status to gain greater self-governance and protection of the Rabha community’s rights.
The Council is currently led by the Rabha Hasong Joutha Mancha, an independent platform representing the Rabha community, though it reportedly enjoys tacit support from the BJP.


Marak criticized political parties for using the promise of Sixth Schedule status to win elections in the RHAC area but failing to deliver on these promises afterwards. He expressed frustration that despite repeated assurances made during general and assembly elections, the people of the Rabha Hasong region were continually deprived of Sixth Schedule status once political parties came to power.


However, Marak also expressed optimism about recent developments, stating that on February 9, the Assam government had sent a proposal to the Union government requesting the inclusion of RHAC under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
“If the proposal is accepted, it would pave the way for the Union government to send additional funds to the Council, thereby facilitating the comprehensive development of all ethnic communities living in the Rabha Hasong area,” Marak said.


Marak’s call reflects an attempt to leverage the BJP’s membership outreach as a means to push for greater political autonomy and recognition under the Sixth Schedule, which has been a significant demand from the Rabha community for a long time.


On Saturday, Marak distributed various grants to 1,200 beneficiaries across 48 villages under the Luki RHA Council Constituency. The support aimed at improving the quality of life for underprivileged residents in the region included bicycles for poor students, roofing sheets for impoverished families, football and volleyball equipment, including nets, for local clubs, solar-powered torch lights, , hand pumps for families in need of a reliable water source, blankets to protect against cold weather and yarns for women, enabling them to weave clothes and support their livelihoods.

Hot this week

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Physical education to be core subject in schools, colleges 

Education minister admits physical education neglected for long in...

NPP strength goes up in Manipur  

Several senior leaders join NPP at Kohima prog   “NPP was...

Meghalaya, Assam NGOs share knowledge on agro-ecological practices

Shillong, June 28: A capacity-building workshop titled “Learning from...

Garukhuti in crisis: Crores spent, cows missing, questions unanswered

Guwahati, June 28: Confusion continues to mount over the...

Bishop’s call to ‘help one addict at a time’

Shillong, June 28: International Day against Drug Abuse and...

Govt plans competition to grow cherry blossom trees

Shillong, June 28: In its bid to ensure public...

13 killed in suicide attack in Pak’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Peshawar, Jun 28: At least 13 security personnel were...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img