Linguistic Minorities in Tripura 15 August 2014 at 18:34 Identity assertion of the Linguistic Minorities of Tripura: Problems of recognition and development of mother-language. A Position Paper Unity in diversity is the essence of the Indian civilization. This essence is the basis of integrity i.e, wholeness. As there have been diverse languages and national and regional features so thereby forms different identities for each group of its own. By upholding and developing this diverse feature it has finally been transformed into the Indian National Identity with the process of Indian democratic system. Thus, a greater unity and integrity can be achieved only after being improved and developed such dualistic nature of these identities. This dualistic feature of identity, based on the diverse language, cultural and national entity, is the basic foundation of the Indian Federal system. Therefore, our federal Constitution also recognizes the autonomy of these identities through the process of creation or re-organisation of Indian States on the basis of the language and national identities of the people. The Federation has the provisions for multi-layer autonomy system. Besides the Central Government in Centre and the State Governments in respective States, there are many elected local self-bodies at the district, block and village level. Similarly, there are several Regional Autonomous Councils which have been enjoying the power and status of the local government (eg., TTAADC). Amongst the various provisions of the autonomies, the Article 244A of the Constitution of India is a significant one. Under the said provision, an Autonomous State can be constituted within the existing State. Such Autonomous State shall have its own Legislative Assembly and Council of Ministers and also have the power to enact laws pertaining to the State List and the Concurrent List. Thus, such Autonomous State can enjoy almost all the powers of an existing State without being divided its State territory. So far as the Autonomous Body or institution for the Linguistic Minorities is concerned, there is no such specific provision enumerated in the Constitution. Yet, it may not be a bar to create and constitute such Autonomous Bodies or Councils for the Linguistic Minorities within the purview of the Constitutional mandate in as much as the same has been provided for creation and constitution of a State, Autonomous State or Autonomous Regional Councils. Nevertheless, there are certain constitutional provisions for the Linguistic Minorities such as recognition of mother-tongue and education through mother-tongue under the Article 247, 350A, 350B amongst others. These provisions could be/ought to be so extended that an autonomous body like an Autonomous Language Development Council for the Linguistic Minorities may be created (as done by the Govt. of Assam). Our State of Tripura is a small but typical feature of diversity having different languages and cultures. This diverse feature has to be maintained in order to achieve a greater unity and prosperity of the State. Out of the total population of the State the Scheduled Tribes population constitutes about 32% and they are belonging to linguistic minority groups comprising Kokborok, Kokbru, Chakma, Halam-Kuki, Molsom, Darlong, Mog, Garo, Uchoi, Lushei among others. Besides, there are Manipuri and Bishnupriya Manipuri speaking people who constitute about 2%. Apart from that there are people of Jharkhandi identity residing mostly in the Tea-estate areas of the State who speaks and develops Saadri language as lingua-franca among themselves and they constitute about 6%. Therefore, it appears that the people belonging to the Linguistic Minority groups do constitute not less than 40% of total population in Tripura. These minority languages have always been subjected to discrimination, suppression and repression in the hands of the State. The repressive and discriminatory policy on the basis of the language is appeared to be a permanent State policy being initiated by our rulers since they have succeed to institutionalize the policy of divide and discrimination on the basis of caste, class, religion and other identities. Such policy of linguistic hostility often leads to destroy the small linguistic identities. It is quite impossible to develop a particular language without being extended help, patronage and funding of the State and Govt. Despite our States are so re-organized on the basis of the language, the political, administrative and intellectual representatives belonging to the dominant language groups of a State do never agree to get political share and autonomy or self-determination of the minority language groups. Despite demanding more power and autonomy in the hands of the State Govt.by the former but at the same time they stoutly deny the decentralization of powers within the State structure where they are belonging. Our State of Tripura is a good example of such kind. In Tripura the upper caste Bengalis were able to establish all political power and rights during the transitional period towards the democratic system. Such upper caste Bengali gentlemen had managed to get political support in capturing and maintaining all political, administrative and cultural status-quo in Tripura from a section of those Bengali lower and backward sections such as SCs, OBCs and religious minorities, who are, otherwise, being oppressed by the former. Therefore, despite the nomenclature of the State is “Tripura” but there being developed such a political structure which is solely based on the Bengali chauvinism. For this obvious reason, Bengali has been emerged as the hegemonic language and the Bengali culture is remained to be a hegemonic culture in Tripura. It has been observed that there has always been a trend of Indo-centric brahminical outlook based on Aryan racism towards the languages, cultures, civilization and national identities of the marginal people of India just like the European outlook who always propound their Europe-centric outlook to analyse the World’s history which is not at all correct. Such kind of Brahminical outlook often suggests and indulges the forcefully Indianisation programme and pursuant thereto, sometime, the State even do not hesitate to adopt violence and coercive means against the marginal people who belongs to non-aryan origin. Such kind of repressive acts of the State is appeared to be a great obstruction in the way to promote democratic values and mutual trust amongst the people from different identities. The questions of equal opportunity, right and status of all the linguistic and national identities are the essential preconditions for the success and development of the democracy. Those are contravening it they weaken the very principle of democracy. The existing political structure and equation in Tripura has been questioned and challenged today by 90% of deprived people of the State, on the very issues of equality, social justice, equal opportunity and status. Now each and every social entity, group and identity have started to initiate a process to unite together to achieve their legitimate rights. In view of the above, we, the Linguistic Minority Groups of Tripura have come forward and discussed the above agenda by a series of State Level Group Discussions since the month of April, 2013. Pursuant to the same, we have prepared and adopted the instant Position Paper. The same has been adopted unanimously in the historic Convention followed by a Mass Rally Linguistic Minorities at Agartala on 15th March, 2014. It has been also decided and formed a Greater Forum consisting of all the persons, organizations, association of the linguistic minority groups and other like-minded persons and associations in the name and style as “Tripura Minority Language Development Movement Council”, with the following Charter of Demands:- To recognize each and every Minority Languages of Tripura as per the provision of Article 347 of the Constitution of India; To provide mother-tongue as a medium of instruction for each and every Minority Languages up to the Higher Secondary level as per the provision of Article 350A; To establish a Centre for research and development of the Regional Languages under Tripura University in order to develop Minority Languages of Tripura; To create and constitute Autonomous Development Council for each and every Linguistic Minorities of Tripura. We would welcome to one and all that are still looking for joining this Greater Forum. Greet with,- Tripura Minority Language Development Movement Council, State Committee.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 01:47:01 +0000
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