Silchar: A prominent socio-cultural organisation of Assam’s Bengali community has urged chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and assembly speaker Ranjeet Kumar Das to intervene in what it described as the increasing marginalisation of Bengalis in the state and ensure their equitable participation in governance, education and public life.In a memorandum submitted recently, the Barak Upatyaka Banga Sahitya O Sanskriti Sammelan said Bengalis have historically played a significant role in Assam’s socio-economic and cultural development, but are now facing neglect in several spheres.The organisation’s central general secretary, Paritosh Chandra Dutta, alleged that the community’s linguistic, educational and cultural interests have not received adequate attention despite its substantial contribution to the state’s progress.The memorandum sought greater representation of Bengalis in administrative and decision-making bodies, protection of linguistic rights and fair access to educational and employment opportunities. It called for govt support for the preservation and promotion of the Bengali language, literature and cultural institutions.Expressing concern over the shrinking number of Bengali-medium schools, the organisation urged govt to take corrective measures to safeguard Bengali-language education. It further demanded that Bengali be recognised as a medium of instruction in colleges and universities in the Barak Valley.The organisation alleged delays in implementing several educational and development projects in the valley. It urged the govt to expedite pending proposals for higher educational institutions and other infrastructure initiatives aimed at boosting regional development.Stressing that its demands were rooted in constitutional guarantees of equality and linguistic rights, the organisation called on the state govt to adopt a “sensitive and constructive” approach to the issues raised.The memorandum has renewed focus on longstanding concerns over language, education and regional development in the Bengali-majority Barak Valley, where questions of identity and representation continue to shape public discourse.
