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VOL. 12, ISSUE 2 (2026)
Affirmative action and the politics of recognition in Assam: Tribalhood demands and Caste Marginality
Authors
Nikita Rai
Abstract
In recent years, the demand for Scheduled
Tribe (ST) status by six communities, Tai Ahom, Koch-Rajbongshi, Moran, Matak,
Chutia, and Adivasi or tea tribes’ communities, has intensified political
debates around reservation and indigenous recognition in the state of Assam. These
demands highlight the recurring pattern of tribalhood mobilisations, influenced
by electoral considerations and contesting claims for political representation.
At the same time, emerging discussions around Scheduled Caste (SC) recognition
among Nepali lower-caste groups reveal hidden forms of marginality that remain
outside the dominant political discourse of the state. By examining these
developments together, the paper argues that although reservation policies aim
to ensure social justice, in Assam, they are influenced by issues of
indigeneity, migration, and ethnic competition, leading to unequal outcomes and
making affirmative action a space of political negotiation.
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Pages:1-5
How to cite this article:
Nikita Rai "Affirmative action and the politics of recognition in Assam: Tribalhood demands and Caste Marginality". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, Vol 12, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 1-5
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