Rajbongshis misinterpreting Koch history: All Assam Koch Students' Union

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: The All Assam Koch Students' Union (AAKSU) on Thursday came down heavily on the Rajbongshis for alleged misinterpretation of Koch history and warned that they would not compromise on their identity and roots.

In a press meet held at Kokrajhar Press Club on Thursday, the president of the AAKSU, Manaranjan Koch said, "Rajbongshis are not Koch. The Koches have their own identity, language, culture, tradition and history." He said that the Rajbongshis had no history, identity, language and distinct culture and their characteristics were totally different from Koches. "The Rajbongshis claim themselves to be Kshtriya Brahmin and therefore, they have no right to misuse the Koch for their selfish interest," he said, adding that the Government of Assam should re-verify the history of Rajbongshis.

Manaranjan Koch said that the creation of Kamatapur Autonomous Council (KAC) in the name of Koch Rajbongshis was an insult to Koches and it was a move to destroy the Koch people. He warned that the AAKSU would move the Gauhati High Court to oppose the KAC bill as the Rajbongshis had misinterpreted the real Koch history to derive benefits and autonomous council.

For the growth and development of Koch people, the AAKSU demanded the formation of Koch Development Council and engagement of 1,000 educated youths in primary schools by introducing 'Kochokoro' (Koch language) as medium of instruction in primary level. He urged the Government of Assam to fulfill the demands of the Koch people. He also warned that they would be compelled to give a fitting reply in the next election if the government failed to fulfill their legitimate demands.

Advisor of Koch Development Council, writer and social worker Indra Mohan Koch said that the government of Meghalaya accorded ST status to Koch people while the Assam Government had not recognized them as Koch but ST status had been given in the name of Rabha. He demanded that the Government of Assam should not accord ST status to 'Rajbongshi' in the name of 'Koch Rajbongshi' but it should be given in the name of 'Koch'. Describing the Rajbongshis as completely separate caste of Koch, he said the Rajbongshis were from a different family and there was no assimilation of face, identity, dress, language, culture and tradition. The Koch people had their distinct identity, dress, language, culture and tradition. He said the government could not accord ST status to Rajbongshis which was a non-existent community. Instead, ST status should be given to Koch people who had a history of royal descendants. He also said that it was unfortunate that the Government of Assam failed to accord ST status in the name of Koch while Meghalaya had done it. He asserted that Rajbongshis were not entitled to get ST status by using Koch name but Koches were the ethnic indigenous people and should get ST status. The press meet was also attended by president of All Assam Koch Association PrabashBanai from Goalpara and other dignitaries.

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