International Indexed & Refferred Research Journal, October 2012, ISSN 0975-3486, RNI- RAJBAL 2009/30097: VoL IV *ISSUE- 37

Research PaperHistory

Language Policy of Assam Government in Sixties and Tribal Question

October,2012 A B S T R A C T
The Assam Government tried to create a homogenous and unilingual state during sixties. The govt. with help and guide of chauvinist Assamese elites and stalwarts sabotaged the pluralistic character of language in Assam. The language policy during sixties and aftermath aroused ethnic strong feeling and added fuel to political self-determination by the tribals and others. Language issue in Assam has been one of the most critical problems which has led to fragmentation of the society. Key Words: Language, Imposition, Assamisation, Tribal, Crisis, Protest, Existence.

* Dulen Basumatary

* Research Scholar, School of Social Science , Singhania University,Rajasthan

Introduction: During the sixties, Assam witnessed argument and counter argument on the issue of language. Assam went on with its propaganda of creating unilingual state absorbing all non-Assamese into Assamese speaking fold through fair means or fowl undermining its pluralistic character. Stalwart like Birinchi kumar Baruah opined that those non-Assamese speakers in Assam are foreigner and would legitimized only if they adopt Assamese language and culture.This went against the Bengalis in Barak Valley. Likewise, the Bodos of Brahmaputra valley, one of the principal tribes of India, faced linguistic suppression and forceful current of assamisation which created serious rift between the Assamese and Bodos. Findings The language policy of Assam Govt. during sixties was to establish a unilingual state by establishing cultural hegemony over the tribals and non-Assamese people in the region intensified the grievances of the tribal and widened the rift between Assamese and nonAssamese. Assam Government with help of Assam Sahitya Sabha and other allied organisations tried to impose Assamese language upon the non-Assamese. Bodo was introduced as medium of instruction on 18th May, 1963 at the Kokrajhar Govt. High School. There is no gainsaying that the introduction of the Bodo language in the school sprung many spectacular problems. The problems created were a natural part of it but the indifference of the Govt. worsened the situation. In all of the schools, where the Bodo was introduced, non-Bodo speakers appointed as teachers. In spite of the repeated urge by the Bodo Organizations for appointment of Bodo teachers, the govt. was apathetic to the demand1. On the other hand, the Government did not take any interest for publishing, text books, instead

emphasized implementing Assamese Rapid Reader for knowledge of Assamese among the Bodos. The Govt. intentionally delayed in bringing out of the Bodo texts for creating anomalies in taking and imparting a continuous Bodo language in the schools2. In primary level, Bodo students studied their vernacular but in Secondary level there was no Bodo medium texts. On the other hand, Sahaj Path which was supposed to be introduced in primary level for knowledge of Assamese did not come. Therefore, again the Bodo students had to study in Assamese language and this gave birth to complicated situation in schools for the Bodo students and their future hung.Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) continuously demanded publication of Bodo texts but govt. was completely indifferent and problem deepened. As Choudhury remarksThe Government did not take demand seriously and this indifference was instrumental in arousing a group of Bodo intellectuals and social activities to think a fresh about a political course of action that would enable them some kind of autonomy in dealing their own affairs. So, the land problem provided the Bodos with the material basis and the language issue the emotional content to think seriously of a new political set up that would ensure them protection of their land, their way of life and cultural aspiration according to their own genius and traditions.3 The Bodo Sahitya Sabha had to proceed through a relentless struggle for the implementation of Bodo medium. All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and other allied organizations sincerely extended their support to the cause. Starting from first introduction of Bodo in primary level as medium of instruction in 1963 to introduction in P.G. level in Gauhati University in 1996, the Bodos were the subject of insult and joke.4 In

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International Indexed & Refferred Research Journal, October 2012, ISSN 0975-3486, RNI- RAJBAL 2009/30097: VoL IV *ISSUE- 37

fact, such insults and jokes were critically assessed plan of Assamese middle class that this design automatically helped in adopting tribal Assamese language. In fact, the imposition of Assamese language upon non-Assamese and tribals was a part of its deliberate policy of Assamization which is not undemocratic and violation of constitution of the country but more importantly, it violates and destroys the character of pluralism and multi-ethnic character of Assam. The result being the ethnic groups became more anxious about their identity. With the Assamese as the official language, the tribal minorities would at once be placed at an unfair disadvantage 5 This language policy tended to create problems in economy of the Bodos and other tribal of Assam in respect of job opportunity. Assam Government laid knowledge of Assamese as an important pre-condition of getting job, that non-Assamese candidate must pass a test of Assamese language which the Bodos could not and thus, job was deprived of 6. This is, however, also the violation of Constitutional rights under the provisions of the Article 15 and the Article 16. These two Articles guarantee the right of preservation ethnic culture, language and equal employment opportunity to all Indians. On the other hand, Assam official language Act, 1960, in its Clause 7 states the Right of the various linguistic groups for preserving their own language. The attempts of the Assam Govt. to implement Assamese language in all sphere of life and level violated the language Act of 1960 itself.

Through the amendment of the Assam Official Language (Amendment) Act, 1985, the Bodo language was recognized as Associated Official Language of Assam particularly in the district of Kokrajhar and Udalguri sub-divisions. But Government had no respect for it and forcefully imposed the Assamese language in said areas. ABSU contestedThe language tangle is one of the most critical and sensitive problems of Assam. Assam is a multilingual, multi-racial and multi-cultural state. But yet, the Assamese people always try to impose Assamese language upon non-Assamese people including the indigenous tribal people. As such, here arises the clash between the Assamese speaking people in one hand and the tribals and other linguistic minorities on the other side.7 This clash ultimately resulted in the loud outcry for a separate state for preserving their language and culture. Language policies of the state Govt. and the Assamese middle class well served in perception of loss of identity. Conclusion: The government made rather a haste in achieving its much coveted objective. The main architect Assam Sahitya Sabha was particularly intolerant and wanted immediate outcome. This hasty action bewildered the non-Assamese speakers and contrarily aroused opposite reaction for preservation of own language. Thus the Assamese and the nonAssamese stood in two opposite pole and it created lasting impact

R E F E R E N C E
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The Bodo, The Struggle for the Bodo language, by BSS, 28th Issue, 2003.p.27 The Bodo, The Struggle for the Bodo language, by BSS, 28th Issue,2003. p.p.29-30 Choudhury, S., op. cit. p.p. 107-108 Field Survey, Comment of a retired teacher at Goreswar. Nair, M.B., Leadership and Role of Political Parities in the North East, ed. Bhuyan, A.C., Political Development of the North East,Vol.1. Omsons Publication, New Delhi, 2006, p.51 6. ABSU, Why Separate State, Kokrajhar, Assam, p.32 7. ABSU, ibid, p.30

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