Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressed the Assam Bengali Youth Students’ Organisation’s Conference in Silapathar, emphasizing the need for unity between Bengali-speaking Assamese people and the Assamese people for the state’s development. He discouraged the idea of an independent Bengali identity and instead encouraged Bengalis to consider themselves proud Assamese people.
Sarma argued that seeking separate treatment for Bengalis would only deepen the perceived differences between the two communities. He highlighted the shared cultural heritage of the Sanatan culture and the joint celebration of Kali Puja and Durga Puja by both Bengalis and Assamese. Sarma stressed the importance of living together harmoniously.
The Chief Minister also underlined the linguistic connection between Assamese and Bengali, pointing out that both languages originated from Sanskrit. He rejected the idea of any significant differences between Assamese and Bengalis and criticized those who actively searched for such distinctions. Sarma provided examples of how the two communities coexist in various neighborhoods across Assam.
While acknowledging the significance of respecting one’s mother tongue, Sarma emphasized the importance of the Assamese language in Assam as a native language of the state. He called upon the Bengali community to learn both their mother tongue and Assamese, believing that they have a responsibility to preserve their language while also embracing Assamese as their own.
