Consensus eludes definition of 'Assamese people': Minister Atul Bora

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam Accord Implementation Minister Atul Bora informed the State Assembly that the definition of 'Assamese people' as mentioned in the Assam Accord continued to elude consensus among stakeholders.

Replying to a query from MLA Abdul Batin Khandakar on the definition of the 'Assamese people', Bora said, "In 2006, the then State Government formed a ministerial sub-committee to define the phrase 'Assamese people'. The sub-committee sought opinions from various political parties, non-political organizations, xahitya xabhas, the AASU (All Assam Students' Union) and other student organizations. However, only a few organizations submitted their opinions, and the rest have not submitted their opinions as yet. There was no consensus on the definition of 'Assamese people'.

"Former Assam Assembly Speaker Pranab Kumar Gogoi took the initiative by seeking the opinions of 53 organizations, including that of ethnic and other organizations. In 2015, he even prepared a report on it. The report also showed no consensus among the stakeholders on the definition."

Clause 6 of the Assam Accord reads as "Constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people."

To implement this clause of the Accord, the definition of the 'Assamese people' is a must.

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