The Gauhati High Court's Itanagar bench has taken a significant step in a case concerning the Scheduled Tribe (ST) rights of the Yobin community in Arunachal Pradesh. On May 5, 2025, the court issued a notice to both the Central Government and the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Mr. Phuyosa Yobin.
The PIL claims that although the Yobin community holds valid Scheduled Tribe certificates issued by the authorities, they are being denied the welfare benefits and entitlements provided to other recognized ST communities in the state. The petitioner, appearing in person, emphasized that the Yobin people have distinct culture, traditions, and customary laws, and they are officially recognized under Paragraph XVIII of the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.
Despite this recognition, the petitioner pointed out that the benefits meant for ST communities, including educational and social welfare schemes, are not being extended to Yobin individuals, including students.
The Court reviewed the 2014 report of the 60th Committee of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), which had addressed this issue in detail. According to the NCST report:
“If the State Government continues to have doubts in respect of these indigenous communities, they may obtain clarification from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. No amendment of the Presidential Order is accordingly required, given its provisions, which are also not in conflict with the judgment of the Supreme Court.”
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The NCST had clearly stated that the Yobin community should be treated as part of the indigenous tribes mentioned in the Constitution and should not be excluded from receiving rightful ST benefits. It also advised that any remaining doubts could be clarified through local inquiries and ethnographic studies.
Taking note of these observations, the division bench comprising Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury directed the Union of India, State of Arunachal Pradesh, and the NCST to submit their responses. The respondents were asked to file their affidavits clarifying their positions by June 9, 2025. Copies of these affidavits must be served to the petitioner in advance.
“As it is contended by the petitioner in person that people belonging to the YOBIN Community… are not getting the benefits being a Scheduled Tribe Community, both the respondent Nos. 1 to 3 as well as the respondents in the Union of India, respondent Nos. 4 to 6 shall clarify their stand,” the Court stated.
Case Title: Phuyosa Yobin v. The State of AP and 5 Ors.
Case No.: PIL/10/2025
