In a major step towards promoting Assamese language, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that Assamese will become the compulsory official language for all government notifications, orders, acts, and related official works in the state. The announcement comes as part of a move to strengthen Assam’s cultural identity and encourage the widespread use of Assamese in governmental affairs. This decision will be implemented starting from this Bohag (Assamese New Year).
Clarification on Local Language Usage
While Assamese will be the primary language used for government work, the Assam government has made provisions for local languages in specific regions. In the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Bodo will be used for government matters, and in the Barak Valley district, Bengali will be the official language. These provisions ensure inclusivity, respecting the linguistic diversity of the state.
English for Inter-Governmental Communication
The Chief Minister further clarified that English would continue to be used for communication with the Government of India, central government offices, and other state government establishments. The use of English will also prevail when interpreting rules, acts, regulations, court orders, and judgments, ensuring smooth communication between Assam and the central government.
Assam’s Linguistic Diversity
Assam is home to a diverse linguistic population, with about 48.38% of its population speaking Assamese as their mother tongue, according to the 2011 Census. Bengali is the second most spoken language in the state, with around 29.9% speakers, while Bodo is spoken by around 4.5% of the population. The state’s linguistic diversity reflects the importance of considering regional languages in governance.
Assam’s Classical Language Status
In a significant development last year, the Union Cabinet granted classical language status to Assamese, recognizing its rich cultural heritage alongside other languages like Marathi, Bengali, Pali, and Prakrit. This status aims to preserve and promote the Assamese language.
By making Assamese the official language for government communications, Assam takes a giant leap in promoting its linguistic identity while still accommodating its regional languages. With continued use of English for inter-governmental communication, the new policy ensures a balance between local identity and national communication.
Source: Times Now News
