Itanagar, March 16, 2026:
The Arunachal ST Bachao Andolan Committee has announced a two-day protest programme, comprising a rally on March 24 followed by a dharna on March 25, to intensify its demand for the revocation of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status allegedly granted to non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (Non-APST) individuals.
Addressing the media, committee representative Sol Dodum informed that the committee has been repeatedly seeking permission from the authorities to carry out the proposed democratic protest. However, permission has not been granted so far, with authorities citing the recently concluded legislative assembly session and the upcoming All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) elections as reasons.
Despite this, Dodum stated that the committee remains determined to proceed with the agitation. He said the rally is scheduled to begin from Akashdeep and culminate at Tennis Court on March 24, after which a dharna will be staged and continue until March 25. He further asserted that members of the committee are prepared to face detention or any legal consequences in the course of their protest.
The ST Bachao Andolan Committee has been consistently raising concerns over what it alleges to be the inclusion of Non-APST individuals in the ST category within Arunachal Pradesh. According to the committee, such inclusions pose a serious threat to the constitutional safeguards and protections specifically meant for the indigenous tribal communities of the state.
Highlighting the situation in Tawang district, Dodum alleged that several individuals of Tibetan origin have reportedly obtained ST status and Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) through maternal lineage. He claimed that such practices undermine the integrity of the system and could potentially deprive genuine beneficiaries of their rightful opportunities in areas such as education, employment, and political representation.
He emphasized that the issue is not only administrative but also deeply linked to the identity, cultural preservation, and socio-economic security of the indigenous tribal population of Arunachal Pradesh. The committee maintains that failure to address these concerns in a timely manner could lead to long-term implications for the state’s demographic and constitutional framework.
Reiterating its demands, the ST Bachao Andolan Committee has urged the state government and concerned authorities to initiate an immediate and transparent review process to identify and revoke ST status granted to Non-APST individuals. The committee also called for stricter verification mechanisms to prevent alleged misuse of ST certification in the future.
The upcoming protest, according to the committee, is aimed at drawing the attention of policymakers and the general public to what it describes as a critical issue affecting the rights and future of Arunachal Pradesh’s indigenous communities.
