Assamese Compulsory in English-Medium Schools: CM Sarma Takes Key Decisions After AASU Meet

The agreements also covered land rights for indigenous people, protection of religious sites, the implementation of the Assam Official Language Act.
Following the Cabinet meeting, the CM said, “A total of 38 points were agreed to in the meeting with AASU leaders. These matters will be included in the budget speech, and the recommendations of the Justice (Retd.) BK Sharma Commission will be implemented in a time-bound manner.”
A significant decision from the meeting was the survey of char (riverine) areas. However, the CM clarified, “A survey will be conducted in char areas, but no settlement will be done. For settlement, AASU and the government will discuss and prepare modalities after consulting political and social organisations.”

LAND RIGHTS AND PROTECTION OF INDIGENOUS INTERESTS

Speaking to News 18 after the meeting, AASU president Utpal Sarma revealed that a policy will be formulated by September 2025 to establish revenue circles similar to tribal belts and blocks. “This will enable land rights to remain in the hands of the indigenous people, and land can be bought and sold only between indigenous people,” Sarma said.
For the first time, the state government has decided to conduct a survey of prime agricultural land and non-agricultural land. Sarma explained, “Prime agricultural land would not be allowed to be used for other purposes without the permission of the state government. However, non-agricultural land will be considered as industry land.”
To handle land-related matters, 2,000 posts will be created within three years, and a land tribunal will be established to resolve disputes.

LANGUAGE AND EDUCATION REFORMS

A major educational reform agreed upon is the compulsory inclusion of Assamese in English-medium schools across the Brahmaputra Valley. Additionally, Bodo or Assamese will be compulsory in schools within the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), while a decision for Barak Valley and two hill districts will be made later.
AASU Chief Advisor Sammujal Bhattacharya announced, “It has been decided that Assamese history will be a compulsory subject for students up to Class VIII from the academic year 2026-27.”
On this, the CM clarified, “Geography will be combined with Assamese history as a subject.”
The process to implement Assamese as the official language in all communications will begin from the first day of the Assamese month of Bohag this year. Existing documents will be translated into Assamese, and the government has decided to consult Dibrugarh University or Gauhati University to develop an AI tool for efficient translation.
Responding to this, AASU leaders suggested that the Legislative Department of the Official Language Wing handle translations in the meantime. They also urged the government to make the Directorate of Assam Official Language Implementation an independent entity with more power to enforce the use of Assamese as the official language.

PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS SITES AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

AASU’s demand for a policy to protect satras, naamghars, and other religious sites of indigenous communities was addressed during the talks. The government assured the students’ body that a decision on forming a commission for satra development will be made within three months.
Other key agreements include:

• Construction of multi-purpose cultural complexes in every district
• Allocation of Rs. 100 crore for Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra
• Provincialisation of Jyoti Chitrabon employees
• Additionally, the AASU leadership demanded a Lakshminath Bezbaruah Chair at Assam University, Silchar, and a Padmanath Gohainbaruah Chair at Tezpur University for the Assamese department. The Chief Minister assured them that he would write to both universities regarding this.

DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

The AASU has also urged the government to hold trilateral talks regarding recommendations under the purview of the central government. The CM confirmed to News18: “No fixed time has been given yet. But the matter has been referred to the Centre, and the process has been initiated.”
The next round of discussions between AASU and the government is scheduled before March 10, followed by another meeting in the first week of April.

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