New gigantic hoarding in both Bengali & Assamese put up at the petrol pump in Meherpur

Nov. 30: A hoarding meant to publicize the free vaccination scheme of the government was put up in Assamese language at a petrol pump in Meherpur, Silchar. However, soon this led to protest by Barak Democratic Front (BDF). Citing the Assam official Language (Amendment) Act, 1961, BDF leader Pradip Dutta Roy demanded that the Assamese hoarding ought to be replaced by one in Bengali within the next 48 hours. The hoarding was then pulled down by the petrol pump authorities.

Following this, much water have flown through Barak and Brahmaputra. An FIR was lodged and Pradip Dutta Roy was sent to judicial custody. However, on Tuesday, a new hoarding was put up at the petrol pump. But this time, the hoarding was made bilingual. Along with Assamese, the contents of “free vaccination scheme” was also written in Bengali language.

Commenting on this, Arindam Deb on behalf of Forum for Social Harmony said, “19 May has taught us the message of brotherhood. We love and respect every language, but ofcourse not at the cost of our mother tongue. Finally, the Assamese hoarding was replaced by a bilingual one.” Citing the Assam Official Language Act, he claimed that as Bengali is the official language in the valley, all government posters/ hoardings should be written in Bengali. “The new hoarding in both Bengali and Assamese proves that the demand raised earlier to use Bengali in Barak Valley has got merit and was legitimate. The mistake was realised and it was changed. We hope in future too, the Assam official Language (Amendment) Act, 1961 will be respected,” added Mr Arindam Deb. He also said, “We would further demand that all the 3 official languages in Assam (Assamese, Bengali & Bodo) should be used in all official hoardings throughout the state,”

Section 5 of The Assam official Language (Amendment) Act, 1961 states, “Without prejudice to the provisions contained in section 3 (Section 3: It shall come into force at once), the Bengali Language shall be used for administrative and other official purposes upto and including the district level in the district of Cachar.”

Also Read: BDF chief Pradip Dutta Roy arrested for allegedly opposing ‘Assamese hoardings’ in Silchar