Decision to make Assamese compulsory in schools hailed

As stated in the local English daily 'The Assam Tribune' : SILCHAR, April 22 - A day after Education Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Government has decided to make Assamese a compulsory subject in schools of the State up to Class-X, members of the Separate Barak Demanding Committee came up with mixed reactions. Noted journalist and an adviser of the committee, Atin Das welcomed the step saying that this is an impressive step taken by the Government to make learning of the mother tongue compulsory in schools. But he was quick to add that the decision to keep Barak Valley and Bodoland outside the ambit of the decision has baffled them, since a large population of non-Assamese people reside across the State and this decision would deprive that section from receiving education at the school level in their mother tongue. “The International Charter of Human Rights and the Constitution of India have recognised the rights of the people to receive education in their mother tongue and we are happy to see a proactive step by the Government. But a large section of non-Assamese speaking population reside in the State and the Government must consider their interest before enforcing an Act,” Das said. Shubhadeep Dutta, a frontline member of the demand committee said that the Education Minister must consider the number of non-Assamese people residing in the State before the Bill is placed for enforcement later this year. In his words, it is a much-needed step in the right direction.