Guwahati: According to media reports, the caste certificate of former Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) Chairman and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader Tara Prasad Das has been declared fake by the Assam government’s Social Justice and Empowerment Department, triggering political debate ahead of the Assembly elections.
Reports state that the department issued an order stating that the Scheduled Caste (SC) certificate used by Das is not valid.
As per media reports, the issue came to light after the Anusuchit Jati Sangrami Yuva Parishad filed a complaint questioning the authenticity of Das’s caste certificate.
Following the complaint, the Assam CID conducted an investigation into the matter. Based on the findings of the investigation, the State Level Scrutiny Committee (SLSC) under the Social Justice and Empowerment Department reportedly concluded that the certificate used by Das was not genuine.
According to the findings mentioned in reports, the serial number of the certificate used by Tara Prasad Das actually belongs to another person named Moyna Mondal. Investigators reportedly found that the certificate was not issued in Das’s name.
Media reports further say that the scrutiny committee stated that Tara Prasad Das does not belong to the ‘Namasudra’ community, which falls under the Scheduled Caste category.
The department has reportedly directed the concerned authorities to cancel the caste certificate issued in his name.
The development has attracted political attention because Tara Prasad Das has been nominated as the AGP candidate from the Pakabetbari constituency for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections.
Political observers say the issue has sparked debate in the state’s political circles. Since Das earlier served as the Chairman of the Assam Public Service Commission, some critics have also raised questions about the ethical implications of the matter.
However, further responses from Das or his party leadership regarding the allegations are yet to be widely reported.
The issue continues to be discussed in political and public circles as the state prepares for the upcoming elections.
