Sahitya sabhas flay Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's statement

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: As many as 12 sahitya sabhas — including the eight constituent members of the ITSSA (Indigenous Tribal Sahitya Sabhas- Assam) – have criticised the issue of "allowing all to purchase lands in the tribal belts and blocks" in the State.

Apart from the Bodo, Mising, Karbi, Rabha, Tiwa, Dimasa, Dewri and Garosahitya sabhas — all falling under the ITSSA—the other non-tribal indigenous sahitya sabhas like those of the Adivasi-Santhalis, SaraniaKacharis, Nepalis and the Koch-Rajbongshis had a detailed discussion on the issue. The meeting was presided over by Dr Dwijendra Nath Bhakat, the president of Koch-Rajbongshi Sahitya Sabha.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Dr Bhakat said, "Time and again, Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said at election rallies in the BTAD that the protected lands of tribal belts and blocks in the State will be opened for others to purchase, if the BJP comes to power in the BTC administration. Such an utterance has hurt the sentiments of the indigenous tribal people living in the BTAD and also others like the Koch-Rajbongshis, Adivasi-Santhalis and the Nepalis whose rights over land have been protected under the 2003 BTC Accord. Now all tribal people and other protected communities in the BTAD are scared of losing the protection over their land rights. We appeal to all political parties not to make such statements that may lead to communal flare-ups in the BTAD."

Other decisions taken at the meeting include the demand for the release of the corpus funds under the scheme, BhashaGaurav to various indigenous and indigenous tribal sahitya sabhas of the State before December 31, 2020. The meeting also raised the demand for bringing changes in the criteria for felicitating indigenous and indigenous tribal litterateurs under the scheme 'Bhasha Gaurav'.

According to the rules set by the government to be eligible for this felicitation, a writer has to be below 60 years of age and should not be a government or semi-government service holder, besides publishing at least two books. However, the meeting wants that writers with one book holding government jobs and attaining 60 years of age should also be made eligible for the literary honour.

Dr Bhakat further said, "During the meeting with the Chief Minister on this issue on December 31, 2019, it was decided that the respective sahitya sabhas will select the litterateurs to be felicitated under 'Bhasha Gaurav'. However, in the advertisement to this regard, the government has sought applications from candidates directly. This is not done."

The meeting raised the demand for immediate implementation of the 'New Education Policy-2020'.

ITSSA's secretary general Kamala Kanta Mushahary, among others, was also present at the press meet.

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