ABSU Protests Gauhati HC Job Notice for Ignoring Bodo Language

Tensions flared in Morigaon today as members of the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) torched a copy of a Gauhati High Court job advertisement. The protest followed what ABSU called the “blatant exclusion” of the Bodo language in the recruitment notice issued by the prestigious court.

The symbolic burning took place near the district administrative office. Drawing significant attention from passers-by and the media.

The advertisement listed Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi as eligible regional languages for specific posts. But it made no mention of Bodo. One of Assam’s official languages and a constitutionally recognized language under the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Call for Linguistic Equality

ABSU Morigaon district president, Bijoy Basumatary, led the protest. He said the exclusion was not just a clerical error but an insult to the identity of the Bodo community.

He emphasized that Bodo is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and has been an official language of Assam since the signing of the Bodo Accord in 2020.

“Time and again, our language is sidelined. This is not just about a job advertisement — this is about our rights, identity, and the repeated neglect we face from institutions,” Basumatary said.

Demand for Correction and Representation

ABSU demanded that the Gauhati High Court immediately revise the job notice. They also urged the state government to issue a circular mandating the inclusion of Bodo in all official recruitment processes within Assam.

The union also warned of statewide protests if their demands are not met.

Speaking to the press, ABSU activists said the matter would be escalated to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes if the High Court failed to acknowledge their concerns.

Legal and Constitutional Backing

Bodo was added to the Eighth Schedule in 2003. It became an official language of Assam under the BTR (Bodoland Territorial Region) Accord signed in 2020.

Despite these milestones, activists claim that Bodo continues to be excluded from administrative and judicial processes. Experts say such exclusions may violate Article 14 (equality before law) and Article 29 (protection of cultural rights) of the Indian Constitution.

Broader Implications Across Assam

Language-based exclusion in recruitment is not new in Assam. Furthermore, similar protests have emerged in the past over the marginalization of regional languages like Karbi and Missing.

Also, many in the Bodo community see this incident as part of a larger pattern of neglect by mainstream institutions.

Several student groups from other tribal communities have shown solidarity with ABSU’s protest. Saying this neglect of constitutional rights could set a dangerous precedent for indigenous communities in the Northeast.

What Comes Next?

ABSU plans to approach the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court with a memorandum demanding correction of the recruitment notice.

They are also organizing a mass rally in Kokrajhar — the heart of the Bodo homeland — later this month.

If no action is taken, the union has warned of a region-wide agitation.

Political Response and Public Backing

Local MLAs from the Bodoland region have expressed concern. Some have pledged to raise the issue in the Assam Legislative Assembly’s upcoming session.

Political leaders from opposition parties criticized the government for remaining silent on the matter.

Citizens and rights groups are also backing ABSU, with many sharing the protest visuals on social media using hashtags like #IncludeBodoLanguage and #EqualLanguageRights.

A Call for Institutional Change

The Bodo language exclusion in Gauhati HC recruitment has brought to the surface long-standing concerns over linguistic discrimination in Assam.

This incident has once again highlighted the gap between constitutional recognition and practical implementation.

If institutions as significant as the High Court fail to uphold inclusivity, the path toward equitable governance for Assam’s diverse communities becomes uncertain.

ABSU’s protest is not just about a job circular — it is a call for institutional reform and respect for constitutional language rights.

Read more about Bodo language rights and the Bodo Accord on the Ministry of Home Affairs website.