Assamese cannot be defined on the basis of language, says Sushmita Dev

February 11: The high-level committee which was set up by the central government to suggest measures for implementation of the Assam Accord has already completed its report on Monday. As per reports, the nearly-150 page report has the definition of “Assamese people” and has a number of recommendations for effective implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. Reacting to this news, former Silchar MP and All India Mahila Congress President Sushmita Dev said, “Assamese cannot be defined on the basis of language.”

Expressing anger and anguish, Sushmita Dev said, “Who is Himanta Biswa Sarma to offer any definition? Is he above Clause 6? Assam Accord was signed by Rajiv Gandhi. It was nowhere written in the accord that one has to leave speaking Bengali. So why is Himanta Biswa Sarma saying so?”

Taking a dig at the media, Ms. Dev said, “It seems that the Assamese media does not understand Bengali and that’s why they keep on showing something. I clearly state that none knows the definition of the word ‘Assamese’ in Clause 6 of Assam Accord. There are Bodo, Dimasa, Mising, Karbi, Bengalis etc in Assam. So in the definition of the word Assamese, Bengali should be there. But Himanta Biswa Sarma is saying that Ok, you are Khilonjiya, but for doing service in Assam, you will have to learn Assamese. My question is, the official language of Barak Valley is Bengali and so why they are compelled to learn Assamese now?”

Saying so, she in an assertive way said, “We are Bengalis. We respect Assamese Language & culture. But we will definitely not leave our mother tongue Bangla at any cost.”

She further said that there are people belonging to various linguistic groups and all such languages should be included in the definition of Assamese. Expressing her views on the Biplab Kumar Sarma, Chairman of Clause 6 Committee, Sushmita said, “Who is Retd. B.K. Sharma? He is the same judge who gave the order for the Detention Camps. I want to raise a very pertinent question to the Government of India. Why there is not a single Bengali in the committee of B.K.Sharma?”

Sushmita Dev was in Guwahati as two activists of NSUI, Zuber and Kamrul are both under arrest. She was there in Guwahati to support them and show solidarity. She said, “According to them they were falsely implicated in the case. So we will have to prove this in the court and fight for their bail. That’s why we came to meet them today.”