IGNOUMATIC

Linguistic conflict in Assam has been one of the most prominent and complex issues in the political history of the state. Located in the northeastern region of India, Assam has a rich and diverse linguistic landscape. The primary languages spoken in Assam are Assamese, Bengali, and various indigenous tribal languages. However, the state has experienced persistent tensions over language, particularly between Assamese-speaking communities and Bengali-speaking communities, both native and migrant.

1. Historical Background of Linguistic Tensions

The roots of linguistic conflict in Assam can be traced back to the colonial era. The British administration’s promotion of Bengali as the official language in Assam during the 19th century sparked resentment among the Assamese-speaking population. This was viewed as an imposition on the indigenous Assamese culture and language.

• Assamese Language Movement (1960s): The movement to promote Assamese as the official language gained momentum after the Assam Movement, which was partly sparked by fears of Bengali linguistic hegemony. The Assam government declared Assamese the sole official language in 1960, leading to strong opposition from Bengali-speaking communities, particularly in the Barak Valley region.

2. The Issue of Immigrant Bengali Population

The issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) has been a central source of linguistic and ethnic conflict in Assam. Since the 1950s, Bengali-speaking migrants from Bangladesh have settled in Assam, particularly in the lower Brahmaputra and Barak Valley regions. Assamese-speaking communities have seen these migrants as a threat to their cultural and linguistic identity.

• The Assam Accord (1985): The Assam Accord was signed to address the issue of illegal immigration and ensure that only Indian citizens could vote in Assam’s elections. However, it left unresolved issues related to the status of immigrants and the linguistic identity of the state.
• The migrant community, especially in the Bengali-majority areas, insists on their right to live and speak Bengali, while Assamese communities feel that the influx of migrants threatens their language and culture.

3. The Role of the State and Language Policies

Assam has made several attempts to resolve linguistic tensions, but the issue remains contentious. The Assamese language has been promoted as the official language of the state, while the Bengali-speaking minority continues to demand recognition of Bengali as an official language in certain areas.

• Bengali Language Movement: The demand for official status for the Bengali language has remained strong in the Barak Valley, where the majority of people speak Bengali. In contrast, Assamese speakers in the Brahmaputra Valley have resisted this demand, fearing that it would dilute the cultural identity of Assam.

4. Ethnic and Religious Dimensions

The linguistic conflict in Assam is also intertwined with ethnic and religious dimensions. Many Bengali speakers in Assam are Muslims, and their presence is often seen in the context of the broader Bangladeshi Muslim migration issue, complicating the situation further. The Assamese-speaking Hindus view the influx of Muslim migrants as a threat to the socio-political fabric of Assam.

• Ethnic Polarization: The rise of Hindu nationalism has further intensified this linguistic divide, with Assam’s indigenous communities often finding themselves caught between ethnic loyalty to Assamese and a religious allegiance to pan-Indian Hindu politics.

5. Contemporary Issues

In recent years, the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam has revived tensions related to linguistic identity and migration. The NRC process aimed to identify genuine Indian citizens and exclude undocumented immigrants, particularly from Bangladesh. Many Bengali-speaking individuals have been excluded from the NRC list, leading to further agitation among the community.

• The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), passed in 2019, has also intensified these tensions, as it seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, while excluding Muslim migrants, thereby fueling fears of further marginalization of the Bengali-speaking Muslim population.

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Conclusion The impact of privatization on the working class has been mixed, leading to both opportunities and challenges. While it has led to improved efficiency and modern working conditions in some sectors, it has also resulted in job insecurity, wage reductions, and weakened labor rights for many workers. Similarly, linguistic conflict in Assam has been driven by historical, social, and political factors, particularly the tensions between Assamese and Bengali speakers, as well as the issue of migration from Bangladesh. Resolving these conflicts requires addressing both linguistic and ethnic dimensions, while fostering an inclusive approach to cultural and linguistic identity in the state.