In a recent development in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma sparked controversy by labeling a request from three literary organizations representing the Bengali-origin Muslim community as a ‘fraud.’ The organizations had urged members of their community to declare Assamese as their mother tongue during the ongoing Census, as part of a long-standing tradition.

This request aligns with a trend seen since the 1950s, where individuals of Bengali ancestry, who settled in Assam during the late 19th century, have identified themselves as Assamese in national surveys. This practice has been a strategy for assimilation into the local culture and to mitigate the discrimination faced by them from certain sections of the Assamese populace, who often regard them as ‘outsiders.’ However, Sarma’s dismissal of their appeal has ignited a fierce debate.

During a press conference held in Dispur, Sarma questioned the authenticity of the claim, suggesting that it is counterproductive for individuals who do not converse in Assamese at home to list it as their primary language. He emphasized that the vitality of the Assamese language would remain intact, even if only 20% of the state’s residents identified it as their mother tongue. Sarma’s remarks have been met with sharp criticism from Assamese authors and various civil society groups, who argue that the contributions of Bengali-origin Muslims to the preservation and promotion of the Assamese language and culture should not be overlooked.

In response to Sarma’s comments, several writers have pointed out the historical significance of the Bengali-origin Muslim community in Assam’s cultural landscape. They have highlighted that these communities have played a crucial role in fostering the Assamese language over the decades, contributing to its literary and cultural richness. The backlash against the Chief Minister’s statements underscores a broader concern regarding cultural identity and inclusion in Assam, a state marked by diverse ethnicities and languages.

The tension surrounding this issue illustrates the delicate balance of identity politics in Assam, where language often serves as both a marker of belonging and a source of division. As the Census progresses, the dialogue around what it means to be Assamese continues to evolve, reflecting the complexities of communal relations and the quest for acceptance in a rapidly changing socio-political landscape.