Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the future of the Assamese language depends on its active use in households rather than statistical dominance in Census records. He argued that relying on numerical percentages to measure the health of a language is an outdated approach that fails to reflect its true standing in society.
Sarma addressed concerns about potential demographic manipulation, warning that some individuals may attempt to misrepresent their identities during the upcoming Census process. "Under the pretext of the Census, some infiltrators will try to change their identities. We have a sharp eye on their modus operandi," the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister expressed disagreement with the President of the Asom Sahitya Sabha regarding the necessity of a demographic majority for the survival of the language. He dismissed the idea that a specific population threshold is required for Assamese to endure, maintaining that the language will continue to flourish regardless of Census data.
Sarma advocated for a future defined by linguistic coexistence. He noted that other regional languages, such as Bengali in the Barak Valley and Bodo in the Bodoland Territorial Council, will continue to thrive alongside indigenous languages like Karbi, Mising, and Rabha. He likened the state's linguistic environment to a garden where many languages grow together as a sign of regional strength.
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