Assam: CEM Tankeswar Rabha accused of deceiving Rabha community over identity

In a series of serious allegations, Ranjan Rabha, Assistant Secretary of the Kamrup District Rabha Sahitya Sabha, has accused Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC), Tankeswar Rabha, of deceiving the Rabha people residing in the RHAC area. During a press meet in Boko on Tuesday, Ranjan Rabha raised concerns about Tankeswar Rabha's true identity, stating that he had changed his surname from "Sarania" to "Rabha" in order to assume the role of CEM.

Ranjan Rabha claimed that Tankeswar Rabha’s National Register of Citizens (NRC) data reflects his ancestral surname as Sarania, yet he adopted the Rabha title, allegedly misleading the Rabha people. According to Ranjan, the forefathers of Tankeswar Rabha, including his father Sitaram Sarania and grandfather Gahin Sarania, all carried the Sarania surname, which is not recognized under the Rabha tribal community's customary law.

Through media statements, Ranjan Rabha publicly called on Tankeswar to clarify his identity, but he alleged that instead of addressing these concerns, the CEM retaliated with derogatory comments. Ranjan expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and urged Tankeswar Rabha to openly reveal proof of his Rabha lineage.

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In light of the controversy, Ranjan announced his intention to file a case in the high court, challenging Tankeswar Rabha’s legitimacy as the CEM of the RHAC. He revealed that the state government has already formed a scrutiny committee to investigate the matter, and the court has directed the filing of a detailed report. Documents cited by Ranjan list Tankeswar’s family members as carrying the Sarania surname, further fueling his claims.

Ranjan Rabha highlighted that the Rabha customary law does not include the Sarania surname, raising concerns about how Tankeswar assumed the CEM position despite this discrepancy. He also urged Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to appoint someone from the RHAC area as an interim CEM until a new leader is elected through the council elections.

The accusations were made in the presence of other former Rabha organization leaders, including Thaneswar Rabha and Sreenath Rabha, who supported Ranjan’s call for clarity and accountability in this matter.