From our Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, January 31: The Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) on Sunday made it clear that the Bodos and the BSS had respect towards the Assamese language and literature and was using this language but the Axam Xahitya Xabha (AXX) should stop neglecting Bodo and other indigenous languages of the region.
At a press conference held at the RN Brahma Memorial Bhavan, Kokrajhar, on Sunday, BSS president Dr. Kameswar Brahma said the BSS had never taken any decision against the Assamese language in its 55th session held at Birhangaon in Chirang district on January 22 and January 23. He said the leader of O-Boro Suraksha Samity Jogeswar Kalita and president of Baksa district Axam Xahitya Xabha (AXX) Alin Chandra Kakati brought an allegation that the BSS adopted an anti-Assamese language decision in the last convention and they gave misinterpretation to the leaders of the central committee of the AXX after which the president of the AXX Dr. Dhrubajyoti Bora and general secretary Parmanda Rajbongshi issued a warning message through a press meet held in Guwahati recently. He said the press briefing of AXX was unfortute for the people of the region, especially for the indigenous communities of Assam. He also said that it was unfortute that the AXX should be misled by leaders like Jogewar Kalita who was allegedly playing a divisive role in BTC region. He further said the AXX leaders needed to scrutinize Kalita before giving a press meet against the Bodo language.
Brahma said AXX president Dhrubajyoti Bora should be aware of the fact that the BSS and BTC had never neglected Assamese language as alleged by O-Boro Suraksha Samity leader Jogeswar Kalita and president of Baksa district AXX Alin Chandra Kakati but they should realize how Dispur had been using and implementing Assamese language in official works and official order in different departments from Dhubri to Sadia.
The Bodos and BSS are not responsible for official implementation of Assamese language but leaders of the AXX should verify the rate of using Assamese language in other parts of the State including Barak Valley, barring Bodoland region, Brahma said. “If Dhrubajyoti Bora can bring allegation that there could be hands of Christian Missiories in using English language in BTC region then who is behind the use of English language in all official works in Dispur? Is not the Chief Minister also responsible for using English in official works in Dispur in the last 15 years but why is AXX silent on that?” he said. He also said that Dispur, which was being run by the ruling class of the State, was neglecting the Assam State Language Act, 1960.
BSS president Brahma strongly reacted to the stand of the AXX that any person who can speak Assamese language would be treated as the Assamese. He said the BSS would never encourage such conception saying that the AXX would lose everything to the hands of Bangladeshis by forgetting the language and literature of the indigenous people of the State and make illegal immigrants as their own people on the basis of learning the Assamese language. The BSS also warned that the AXX should stop making baseless allegations against the BSS or the BSS would be forced to take a stand.