Bodo Village Inclusion Sparks ST Reservation Row in Pasnoi Serfang: BTC OSD Clarifies

By- Shajid Khan

A political controversy is brewing in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) following the inclusion of 61 Bodo-majority villages, as locals express concerns over the potential reservation of the Pasnoi Serfang constituency in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) for Scheduled Tribes (ST).

The tension stems from a recent notification issued by the BTC Secretariat on May 5, 2025, signed by BTC Principal Secretary Akash Deep, which sought inputs from Deputy Commissioners of Darrang, Sonitpur, Biswanath, and Nalbari districts. The notice asked for recommendations on merging newly included Bodo-inhabited villages into existing BTC constituencies—part of the implementation process of the BTR Accord.

This move has triggered speculation that the demographic shift in constituencies like Pasnoi Serfang—now receiving a significant number of Bodo voters—may lead to it being reclassified as an ST-reserved seat. Political parties and civil society groups have voiced apprehension that such a change could affect the electoral balance, potentially reducing the representation of non-Bodo communities.

Amid the growing controversy, Raju Dhakal, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to BTC Chief Executive Member Pramod Boro, addressed the media in Mazbat, Udalguri district, on Tuesday to clarify the BTC’s position.

Dhakal stated that the recent communication from the BTC Secretariat is purely an administrative procedure to identify appropriate BTC constituencies for the newly added villages.

“This is not a move towards reservation. A constituency can only be declared ST-reserved if the ST population exceeds 50%. Based on current data, Pasnoi Serfang does not meet that threshold,” Dhakal asserted.

He also urged political leaders, parties, and civic groups to avoid spreading unverified information, emphasizing that discussions must be based on demographic data and not speculation. Dhakal appealed for calm and unity, asking the public to trust the ongoing administrative process.

The controversy underscores the sensitive nature of electoral reservations and ethnic representation in Assam’s BTR region, especially in light of ongoing changes following the historic Bodo Peace Accord.