JAC Pushes for Tribal Status for Left-Out Communities in Sikkim and Bengal, Plans Anthropological Study

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) for the tribal status of 12 left-out communities in Sikkim and 11 in West Bengal held its first meeting today in Gangtok and plans for an anthropological research project and protests in Delhi.

This marks the second joint meeting after formation on September 6, 2024. The meeting aimed at urging the Central Government to grant tribal status to these communities.

During the meeting, several key resolutions were passed, including the decision to conduct a community-based anthropological research project. Five anthropologists from both Sikkim and West Bengal will be involved in this study, which aims to bolster the demand for tribal status through scientific findings.

In his address to the media, JAC President Dr. S.K. Rai outlined various strategies being considered to achieve this long-standing demand. He mentioned that an ethnographic report would be prepared soon to support their case. Dr. Rai also emphasized the committee’s plans to engage with political leaders, community representatives, and Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Northeast to gather wider support.

“If necessary, we are prepared to organize a dharna (protest) in New Delhi to press for our demands,” Dr. Rai added.

Addressing the controversy that emerged after the September 6 meeting regarding a proposed Sikkim-Darjeeling merger, Dr. Rai clarified that JAC, as a non-political organization, is not involved in political matters. He also confirmed that the issue concerning the inclusion of the Majhi community in Sikkim has been resolved.

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