In a major development, the Assam government and the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) have reached a consensus on 38 out of the 52 recommendations made by the Justice (Retd) Biplab Kumar Sharma Committee concerning Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. This agreement marks a major step forward in addressing the longstanding issues related to the protection and promotion of Assamese cultural, social, and linguistic identity.
The resolution was reached following a series of discussions between Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and AASU representatives, culminating in a press conference where the Chief Minister shared the details of the consensus. “Certain recommendations of the committee are to be implemented by the central government, and others by the state. Out of the 52 recommendations, the state government and AASU have agreed on the action plan for 38 recommendations,” CM Sarma stated.
Key Consensus Decisions on Assam Accord Recommendations
The consensus on the 38 points is seen as a significant move towards fulfilling the promises of the Assam Accord and ensuring the welfare of the Assamese people. The key decisions include:
- Teaching Assamese as a Compulsory Language in Schools: One of the major points of agreement is the implementation of Assamese as a compulsory language in schools across the state. This decision aims to promote the Assamese language and preserve its cultural importance for future generations.
- Surveys of Char Areas: The government has agreed to conduct surveys of Char areas (riverine vegetative islands) to assess their population and ensure the protection of these areas, which are often overlooked in administrative and development processes.
- Publication of Government Notifications in Assamese: In a bid to promote the Assamese language, the government will now publish all laws, rules, and official notifications in Assamese, alongside English. This step is a move towards ensuring that the Assamese-speaking population has greater access to important government information.
- Language Inclusion in Barak Valley and Bodoland Territorial Region: In addition to Assamese and English, government notifications in Barak Valley will be published in Bengali, while in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), notifications will include both Assamese and Bodo, alongside English. This decision reflects the region’s linguistic diversity and aims to ensure that all communities have access to government communications in their native language.
- Translation of Existing Laws into Assamese: The Assam government, in collaboration with Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University, will begin a phase-wise translation of existing laws, rules, and government documents into Assamese. This project is expected to take time, as thousands of documents need to be translated. The Chief Minister highlighted that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) might be explored to speed up the process.
Clause 6 of the Assam Accord and Its Importance
Clause 6 of the Assam Accord is a critical provision aimed at safeguarding the cultural, social, and linguistic identity of the Assamese people. It calls for constitutional, legislative, and administrative measures to protect the unique heritage of Assam’s indigenous communities, particularly in the face of demographic changes and external influences.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to fulfilling the objectives of Clause 6 and emphasized that the discussions with AASU are a crucial part of the process. “We hope to reach a consensus on all 52 recommendations after holding the third round of discussions with AASU in the first week of April,” he said.
While 38 out of the 52 recommendations have been agreed upon, there are still 14 points that require further discussion. These issues will be taken up in future meetings, with the state government aiming to reach a final agreement in the coming months. The Chief Minister expressed optimism that these discussions would conclude successfully, ensuring that all aspects of Clause 6 are addressed comprehensively.
A Milestone for Assam’s Development and Identity
The agreement between the Assam government and AASU on the 38 recommendations of the Justice Biplab Kumar Sharma Committee is a major milestone in the implementation of the Assam Accord. The decisions made will not only strengthen the Assamese language and culture but also ensure that all communities in Assam are included in the state’s development process.
As the state government works to implement these recommendations, the focus will be on promoting self-reliance, preserving the state’s cultural identity, and addressing the concerns of the indigenous population. With further discussions scheduled for April, there is hope that the remaining points will be resolved, paving the way for a more inclusive and harmonious Assam.
