Congress Leader Dr. Santi Criticizes Assam Government Over Practical Implementation of Manipuri Language Status in Barak Valley

Lakhipuronline Digital Desk 16, April 2025 – Dr. Maimom Santi Kumar, a prominent Congress leader, has voiced strong disappointment regarding the Assam Government's recent stance on the use of the Manipuri language for official purposes in the Barak Valley. Despite Manipuri being granted Associate Official Language status

 in key districts of Assam last year, a recent government directive reportedly failed to authorize its practical use in official administrative work within the Barak Valley region.

Dr. Santi Kumar contends that this omission effectively denies the Manipuri language its rightful place and the associated rights that should come with official recognition. He argues that granting the status without allowing its functional use in government proceedings undermines the spirit of the recognition.

Highlighting the legal framework, Dr. Santi Kumar reminded Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, reportedly via a Tweet, about the provisions within the Assam Official Language Act, 1960. He pointed specifically to a clause stating that if a linguistic minority group constitutes over 20,000 individuals within a specific District, Tehsil, or Block, there is a provision for official government communications and documents to be made available in their language.

The context for this criticism relates to legislative action taken last year. On August 29, 2024, the Assam Assembly passed the Assam Official Language (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This bill, initially presented on August 22, officially designated Manipuri as an associate official language in four districts: Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi (all within the Barak Valley), and Hojai.

However, Dr. Santi Kumar expressed concern that despite this significant legislative step, the subsequent failure to grant full operational rights for the language's use in official matters, particularly within the Barak Valley districts where it was formally recognized, might indicate a lack of genuine commitment.

He openly speculated whether the formal granting of Associate Official Language status via the 2024 amendment was primarily a political gesture – described metaphorically as a "lollipop" – intended perhaps to appease the Manipuri community in Assam ahead of the 2024 MP elections, without a full commitment to implementing the associated linguistic rights in official domains. This perceived discrepancy between the legislative declaration and its practical application forms the core of his criticism.