A national seminar convened by the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) brought together tribal autonomous district councils, constitutional experts, parliamentarians, and movement organizations from across the Northeast to press for constitutional amendments and full implementation of the 2020 Bodo Accord ahead of the winter session of Parliament.
Opening the seminar with tributes to Bodofa Upendranath Brahma, Chairperson Prof Ramesh Bhardwaj highlighted the historic significance of the gathering, which drew leaders including Pramod Boro, former CEM of BTR and Bodo Accord signatory; Sukla Charan Noatia, Minister for Tribal Welfare and Minorities, Tripura; Pyniaid Sing Syiem, former CEM, KHADC; Senior Advocates Vijay Hansaria and Sabda Ram Rabha; and representatives from BTR, BKWAC, Tripura, Meghalaya and other Northeastern states.
In his keynote address, ABSU President Dipen Boro said, “This seminar brings together tribal councils, movement groups and community leaders who have walked through many phases of struggle to secure constitutional safeguards and political rights. The amendments linked to Article 280 and the Sixth Schedule decide how our councils receive funds, exercise powers and plan development… The next step must now come through Parliament. With this seminar we place a clear appeal to pass the amendment to Article 280 and the Sixth Schedule in the forthcoming winter session and complete the Accord within the timeline already committed.”
Sharing Tripura’s perspective, Minister Sukla Charan Noatia said, “The programme convened by ABSU gives strength to the concerns of tribal regions across the Northeast… The government of India has a duty to address the issues of the ten autonomous councils in the region… We look forward to a practical solution for tribal communities and their councils.”
Highlighting the need for collective assertion, former KHADC MDC Titosstarwell Chyne said, “We have continued to pursue the matter of Sixth Schedule reforms… The absence of visible results has created concern and disappointment. This is why today’s seminar in Delhi carries importance for all of us. It sends a message that the tribal councils of the Northeast remain united on their constitutional demands… A common platform for all councils can help present our case in an organised manner before the Union government.”
Senior Advocate Vijay Hansaria, constitutional expert, added, “The Bodo Accord cannot stay as a document brought out for display without visible progress on the commitments inside it… Tribal councils across the Northeast require stable funding from the Centre to function responsibly and plan long-term development… The next step must come from the Union Government with clarity and commitment.”
Recalling four decades of struggle, former BTR Chief Executive Member and Bodo Accord signatory Pramod Boro said, “I thank ABSU for convening this seminar at a crucial moment… An accord cannot be treated like a campaign promise that fades after an election… We are hopeful that the 125th Amendment Bill will be taken up in this Parliament session so that the constitutional side of the accord can progress, and the message from Bodoland and the Northeast can be respected in full.”
The seminar concluded with a joint appeal to the Union Government and the Government of Assam for the time-bound implementation of pending clauses of the Bodo Accord, introduction of constitutional amendments in Parliament, and stronger financial and administrative provisions for the ten Sixth Schedule councils. Delegates plan to continue their advocacy with a sit-in dharna at Jantar Mantar on 21 November to press for constitutional progress. (With inputs from article received from Anuj Kumar Boruah, Conversations Unbound)