AXX-Tribal Xabhas at loggerheads
Assamese Definition
BY OUR STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, March 22: Coming down heavily on the Axom Xahitya Xabha (AXX), the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) and other tribal literary bodies in the State have made it clear that the definition of ‘Assamese’ proposed by the AXX is not acceptable to them. The stance of the BSS and other tribal literary bodies has now created an uncertainty over the possible filization of the Assamese definition in the March 29 meeting to be held between the Speaker and the groups concerned in the Assembly.
The BSS also made it clear that the tribal literary bodies will reach a consensus on the Assamese definition at a convention in Guwahati on April 19.
A meeting between the BSS and other tribal literary bodies was held here on Sunday on the issue under the presidentship of BSS vice president Biseswar Basumatary. Eight resolutions were taken in the meeting after detailed discussions.
The eight resolutions are: 1. The resolution adopted in the 2005 meeting should be kept intact, 2. The resolution adopted by the Axom Xahitya Xabha (AXX) on the Assamese definition is not acceptable to the indigenous tribal people of the State, 3. AASU and 25 other organizations must clarify on the minutes and modalities that had been accepted in their joint meeting held on March 20 on the definition of ‘indigenous Assamese people’, 4. The fil decision on the Assamese definition will be taken by the tribal xahitya xabhas in the April 19 meeting to be held here, as desired by the Speaker, the AASU along with the 25 other indigenous organisations, 5. In case of NRC update, there is no need of a base year for indigenous tribal people of Assam, 6. Those people who came to the State after 1951 and before March 25, 1971 (as per the Assam Accord, 1985) can be regarded as general Indian citizens but they should not get constitutiol safeguards as proposed by Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, 7. Implementation of Clause 10 of the Assam Accord, 1985 should be executed in letter and spirit and all tribal belts and blocks should be protected, 8. No harassment should be meted out to any indigenous tribal people of Assam in the me of NRC update.
After the meeting, talking to reporters, Hangneji Hangse, central executive of the Karbi Sahitya Sabha and spokesperson of the tribal literary bodies, said, “We cannot accept the definition of Assamese given by the Axom Xahitya Xabha which always tries to domite other indigenous literary bodies of the State.”
Trying to give a broader definition of the ‘Assamese people’, the AXX had said that the definition should include all residents of the State who speak Assamese language either as mother tongue or their second or third language, irrespective of caste, creed, colour and religion.
Slamming the All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU), BSS general secretary Kamalakanta Mushahary said, “AAMSU always speaks for illegal Bangladeshis and it is the spokesperson of illegal Bangladeshis.”
Purkanta Chintey, vice president, Mising Sahitya Sabha, said, “There is no relevance of the Axom Xahitya Xabha now in the State. While taking any major decisions, the Axom Xahitya Xabha doesn’t hold consultations with other literary bodies, which is not acceptable to us.”