Barak organisations stage protest against Rajen Gohain’s statement

Special Correspondent

Silchar, Dec 12: All India Democratic Students’ Organization (AIDSO), All Cachar-Karimganj-Hailakandi Students’ Association (ACKHSA) and garik Suraksha Sangram Committee (NSSC) have in chorus taken serious exception to the statement of Rajen Gohain, Union Minister of State for Railway, that Bengali language should be withdrawn from Barak Valley as official language. He has justified the withdrawal on the ground that there cannot be two official languages as is in force in this valley. Along with English, Bengali is also an official language here.

 The withdrawal, according to these organizations, is an affront on the long accepted Bengali as the official language. Besides, Bengali is also the medium of instructions in educatiol institutions. It is the sacrifice of the language martyrs of this valley who laid down their lives during the historic language movement of 1961. Even after this language movement, there have been attempts to interfere with the Official Language Act as well as the medium of instructions which allows Bengali along with English as the official language of Barak Valley.

 According to the spokespersons of these organizations, to impose any other language on any linguistic minority group is ultra vires of the Indian Constitution. Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution of India speak of the fundamental right of any linguistic minority group to receive education in their own mother tongue and they have also the right to establish educatiol institutions. Moreover, Assam cannot be treated as a unilingual state. Rather, it is a polyglot state and Bengali speaking people constitute more than 30% of the total population.

 Bijit Kumar Sinha (NSSC), Gour Chandra Das (AIDSO) and Rupam ndi Purkayastha (ACKHSA) in identical statements issued today while condemning the unbecoming and uncalled for statement of Gohain said even the Assamese speaking people would never support such statement. Before making such irresponsible statement as a responsible Union Minister, Gohain should have gone through the historical background of language movement in Barak Valley and its outcome. He at the same time should have gone through the legal and constitutiol provisions in respect of the language right of any linguistic minority group.

 Continuing, the functiories of the three organizations have cautioned Rajen Gohain to desist from making such irresponsible statement in future as it will only stoke the spark of social tension. It might also compel the people of this valley to revive the movement for the separation of this valley from Assam. There can be no compromise on the question of mother tongue and official language which is a fait accompli. They have also questioned the silence of BJP leaders of this valley on such an emotive issue. Its ramification can hardly be ignored. It will only give incentive to chauvinistic thought-process which is not desirable in this critical juncture of the country. In order to give vent to their ire and anger, the effigy of Rajen Gohain was set ablaze before the statue of Khudiram Bose at Club Road of this town today.