Delhi-Dispur language policies out of sync: AXX

GUWAHATI, May 26: The Axam Xahitya Xabha (AXX) has pinpointed that the language policies being followed by the Central Government and the State Government being badly out of sync has pushed all languages in Assam towards uncertainty.

Talking to the media on Saturday, AXX president Paramananda Rajbongshi said: “We want to spell it out in no uncertain terms that Assamese is not a language alone. Apart from being a language, it’s a historic civilization and culture. Because of short-sightedness of the government, the Assamese language is in crisis today. The future of other languages in the State is no different. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 has clearly violated the historic Assam Accord. Assam has to shoulder the burden illegal Indians since the separation of the country. Despite knowing all such issues, the government at the Centre has not been taking anything tangible. It is because of this, NRC is being updated in the State with direct intervention from the Supreme Court of India. This Bill could have been introduced after the NRC update and the government could have taken public opinion before introducing the Bill. What we want heart and soul is – revocation of the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, sealing the international border with Bangladesh and providing constitutional safeguards to the people of Assam. With all such thoughts in mind, we’re going to hold a national convention at District Library here on Sunday. We’re going to prepare a roadmap for the safety and security of the Assamese language, literature and culture with the help of suggestions to be given at tomorrow’s convention. The roadmap is to be the guideline for the greater Assamese nationality.”