Bodo groups protest ‘Hemkosh Appendix’, burn book in Assam's Kokrajhar

The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) staged a protest in Kokrajhar over the recently released ‘Hemkosh Appendix’, alleging that the book does not use the Bodo script.

The book, published by the Sadin-Pratidin Group and unveiled on September 20, has drawn strong opposition from Bodo organisations over the treatment of the Bodo language and script.

As part of the protest, ABSU members burnt copies of the ‘Hemkosh Appendix’ in Kokrajhar, expressing their objection to the omission of the Bodo script.

Bodo organisations have alleged that the decision goes against the recognition accorded to the Bodo language under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. They described the alleged exclusion of the Bodo script as unacceptable and said the issue concerns the recognition and dignity of the Bodo language and its script.

The protest has triggered a wider debate in the Bodo-majority areas, with organisations demanding that the concerns surrounding the representation of the Bodo language and script in the publication be addressed.

The claims regarding the contents and representation in the book are those raised by the protesting organisations.