Guwahati: Hindi will be introduced as an official language in the Assam Legislative Assembly alongside Assamese, English and Bodo from the Budget Session beginning on Monday, Assembly Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass announced on Sunday.
Addressing a press conference, Dass said the decision was taken at the General Purpose Committee meeting held on Saturday. He said the committee approved the inclusion of Hindi in the Assembly’s official proceedings.
Explaining the decision, the Speaker said Hindi was being introduced “as a sign of respect” for the language. He also announced that ALA TV, which broadcasts the proceedings of the Assembly, will be renamed Assam Bidhan Sabha TV.
Amid speculation that the move could affect the status of Bodo in the Assembly, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma clarified that no such proposal was under consideration.
In a social media post, Sarma said he had been informed by the Speaker that there was no proposal to discontinue the use of Bodo in the House.
Describing Bodo as an inseparable part of Assam’s rich cultural heritage and identity, the Chief Minister said the language reflects the history, traditions and aspirations of the Bodo community while enriching the state’s linguistic diversity.
He reiterated that the Assam government remains fully committed to preserving and promoting the Bodo language and would continue to support its growth for future generations.
Bodo is included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and was notified as an Associate Official Language of the Assam Legislative Assembly under the Assam Official Language (Amendment) Act, 2020.
With the Budget Session commencing on Monday, Hindi will join Assamese, English and Bodo as one of the official languages used in the proceedings of the Assam Legislative Assembly.
