“It’s sad that Bengalis are sleeping without realising the danger ahead”: Tapodhir Bhattacharjee

Former vice-chancellor of Assam University and renowned scholar Tapodhir Bhattacharjee along with the other members of CRPCC went to deputy commissioner’s office in Silchar. There, they submitted a memorandum alleging conspiracy against the lingual minorities living in Assam. Bhattacharjee addressed a media contingent outside the DC’s office and said: “It is sad that the Bengalis are sleeping without realising the danger that lies ahead.”

The former VC referred to the high-level committee meeting that took place in the national capital yesterday. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Home, G Kishan Reddy. This committee is trusted with the responsibility of recommending amendments to the Article 6 of Assam Accord on the number of seats to be reserved in the Assam Assembly and local bodies for Assamese people and on ways to preserve Assamese culture, discussed changes in the panel’s terms of reference.

Indian Express quoted sources saying the key changes recommended by the committee was to include the possibility of vesting land rights only to indigenous people. Indian Express reported that the members also suggested that issues of reservation for indigenous people in the state’s Lok Sabha constituencies and in Central government jobs should also be brought in its ambit. The recommended time frame be fixed for implementing the committee’s recommendations. It was also suggested that a member from the tribal community be included in the committee.

Bhattacharjee was of the opinion that the Assam Accord will reserve rights for Assamese and a selected number of tribal communities which excludes Bengalis, Manipuris who speak Bishnupriya and Maitei language. “We are not only ignoring our doom but also exposing our next generation to immense danger,” he said.

The scholar took a jibe at the Home Minister, Amit Shah and said the government is targeting Bengali community living in the country. “Calling us termite he said he will comb off our existence,” concluded Bhattacharjee.