Torch in hands, demands in front of the government and threatening to come to Delhi .. What is the history and demand of the Matk community?

The people of Matk community have once again come out on the streets of Assam with their demands.

Matak Community History: Many other tribal communities, including the Matk community in Assam, have taken to the streets. They are conducting torch procession to rally, dharna-demonstrations. The command of the movement is in the hands of the youth. Their main demand is to get ST status. The mob reaching these rallies has put the state government in crisis. Accusing the state government standing at the electoral turn, the people of the Matk community have rejected the offer of CM’s conversation.

What will be the state and central government’s stand on this movement? This time will tell, but it is certain that due to about 12 percent stake in the population and due to the Vidhan Sabha elections next year, it is certain that the government will not be able to do strictness. In such a situation, it is important to know how old the history of the Matk community is? Why their demands have not been met yet? Why do they have to agitate again and again?

The struggle of tribals in Assam is quite old

Assam is known not only for its tea and natural beauty, but also for diverse ethnic and cultural communities. The tribal groups here for centuries,Dhikars and have been struggling for socio-economic justice. Recently, the Matak community, which raised the voice on the streets of the state and a warning of going to Delhi, is the latest chapter of this long struggle. This movement is not only of any one tribe, but the years old questions and incomplete demands of the tribal groups of Assam.

History of Matak community

The relationship of the Matk community is deeply associated with the history of Assam. Matak emerged as a powerful power in the scenario of the Ahom state, which is weak in the 18th century. The original region of Matak people is spread around the upper Assam, especially Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts.

• Matak Dynasty: Swargadev was organized as Matak Shakti towards the end of the Ahom Empire established by Sukafa and strengthened his culture and political identity with peacocks (another community).
• Culture and Religion: The Matak community has a profound influence of the Mahapurushiya sect (tradition of Srimanata Shankardev). They are identified for their specific dialects, customs and community lives.
• Political consciousness: During the arrival of the British and also in the freedom struggle, Matak youth and leaders played an active role.

Background of tribal movements

The tribals of Assam, whether they are Matak, Moran or the tea tribe, all suffered from British colonialism and later in independent India.

• Lack of political representation: The demand for inclusion of these communities in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) has been rising for a long time. At present, they are identified in the Other Backward Classes (OBC), but their main demand is to get the status of Scheduled Tribes (ST).
• Land Rights: They claim that due to the expansion of tea gardens and reserved forests in Assam, the land of tribal groups was taken away from traditional rights, due to which the problem of land security remains serious even today.
• Education and Employment: Backwardness in education and lack of opportunities in government jobs are keeping the community away from the mainstream.
• Culture and Identification: The language, tradition and folk art of diverse tribal communities are constantly weakening, which is a challenge for their existence.

Why did the wave of Matak movement arise?

Recently, when the Matk community took its demand in front of the government by taking a torch and warning of a rally till Delhi, their main emphasis was, ST status is attained.

• For many decades, this community has been proving that they are historically, culturally and in socio-economic conditions as other groups of Scheduled Tribes.
• In the year 2019, the Central Government said that the process of including six communities (Matk, Moran, tea tribe, Tai Ahom, Chutia and coach-Rajbongshi) was said to start in the ST list. However, despite the recommendations of various committees and MPs, no final decision has been taken yet.
• Despite repeated assurances by the government, resentment has been deepening in communities due to non-formation of solid policy for a long time.

Why are you demanding incomplete so far?

• Ethnic balance crisis: Assam is already struggling with ethnic and linguistic inequalities. By adding new groups to the ST list, already eligible groups are afraid of reducing their share for reservation.
• Political confusion: The vote bank of these communities is important in electoral politics, but taking concrete decisions is a political risk for the government.
• Legal and administrative hurdles: Files at the center and state level continue to move back and forth. The process is sometimes trapped in committees and reports.
• Identification question: Some experts believe that not all communities fully meet tribal standards, causing constant disputes.

Equality with other tribal movements in Assam

The Matak movement is not alone. Many tribal communities in Assam have been raising the voice of their rights for decades.

• Bodo Movement: The Bodo community fought a long struggle from the demand of a separate state to the autonomous council.
• Karbi and Dimasa Movement: These groups have been fighting for the protection of autonomy and tribal identity.
• Tea Tribe Movement: The children of tea garden workers brought in the colonial period are still looking for justice and respectable life while fighting socio-economic backwardness.
• The background of these movements, although different, is the same in all focused issues, economic neglect, lack of political representation and cultural protection.

What is the way forward?

The demands of Matk and other tribal communities are eligible under democratic and constitutional structure. The solution is possible at some major levels:

• Policy courage: The central and state governments will have to take clear and concrete decisions as to which communities can be included in the ST list.
• Investment in education and health: Only reservation is not enough; Large improvements in basic facilities and social sector are necessary.
• Protection of culture: Community Museums, Education Courses and Cultural Grants should be given to save linguistic and cultural identity.
• Participation based development: There should be a direct participation of communities in every decision, so that policies are not only a document, but show the effect on the ground.

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