Assam: Tensions rise in Bodoland over removal of Bodo language from Assembly signboard

Tensions have escalated in Bodoland following the reported removal of the Bodo language from the signboard at the main entrance of the Assam Legislative Assembly in Guwahati, with student organisations demanding its restoration and warning of further agitation.

The Bodo National Students Union (BoNSU) staged a protest outside the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Secretariat in Kokrajhar on October 16, condemning the incident as disrespect towards the Bodo language. The organisation also submitted a memorandum to the Assam Chief Minister, seeking appropriate action.

During the demonstration, BoNSU issued a 72-hour deadline to the state government to restore the Bodo language on the Assembly signboard. The organisation warned that it would oppose the use of Assamese in Bodoland if its demand was not met.

The Bodoland Tribal Protection Forum reportedly issued a separate one-week deadline, with both organisations warning of further protests if the matter remained unresolved.

BoNSU also threatened to revive its movement for a separate Bodo state, alleging that the reported removal reflected disrespect towards the community’s linguistic identity. The protesters demanded the dismissal of Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass, alleging a conspiracy against the Bodo language.

Protesters also attempted to burn an effigy of the Speaker, but police personnel intervened and prevented them from doing so.

Meanwhile, All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) president Khwrwmdao Wary condemned the reported removal and accused the Speaker of showing disrespect towards the Bodo language. Wary called for an end to what he described as discriminatory and stepmotherly treatment of the language.

The controversy has prompted strong reactions from Bodo organisations and civil society groups, with demands for accountability and recognition of the Bodo language gaining momentum.

The organisations allegations and demands come amid a dispute over the Assembly signboard. The circumstances surrounding the reported removal and the state government’s response were not detailed in the information provided.