DICC Karimganj removes signboard in Assamese after demand raised by Banga Sahitya

Oct. 20: Amid the ongoing “Assamese hoarding” controversy in Silchar, another incident has been reported from Karimganj, where both sides exercising restraint showed immense maturity and respect to the “Language Act” of Assam. The matter relates to a glow signboard in the office of the General Manager, District Industries & Commerce Centre (DICC) under the Government of Assam in Karimganj,which was written in Assamese along wit English.

The issue was taken up promptly by Barak Upatyaka Banga Sahitya O Sanskriti Sammelan and a memorandum to this effect was given to the concerned department of the state government. In the said memorandum, it was categorically stated that as per Section 5 of The Assam Official Language (Amendment) Act, 1961, Bengali Language shall be used for all administrative and official purposes in Barak Valley. They further quoted from the Act: “Without prejudice to the provisions contained in Section 3, the Bengali Language shall be used for administrative and other official purposes upto and including the district level in the District of Cachar”.

Banga Sahitya Sammelan in their memorandum appealed DICC Karimganj to abode by the Official Language Act, 1961 and use Bengali in place of Assamese in their glow signboard displayed in front of their office (of GM DICC, Karimganj). On 20 October, 2021, Sabyasachi Roy, former General Secretary of the central committee of Banga Sahitya Sammelan and present executive member informed that, “Abiding by the legitimate demand raised by Banga Sahitya, the District Industries & Commerce Centre (DICC) pulled down the glow signboard written in English & Assamese.” He further informed that the concerned officials of DICC Karimganj are “making arrangements to make a new hoarding in Bengali, which is the official language of Barak Valley.” This definitely exhibits a mature way of handling a sensitive issue, commented a social media user.

Sabyasachi Roy also shared in his social media account two pictures- in one of the photographs, the earlier signboard at DICC Karimganj was shown which contained both English and Assamese language. The 2nd picture depicts that the signboard in Assamese was pulled down. Responding to the Facebook post of Mr Roy, many netizens expressed satisfaction at the step taken by Banga Saitya in getting “the official Bengali language” its due recognition as per the Act of 1961.