GUWAHATI, Aug 1 � The apex literary body in the State, the Asam Sahitya Sabha on Monday strongly called upon the government to implement the official language in true spirit, failing which the Sabha will launch vigorous movement that will include programmes like indefinite hunger strike.
Addressing mediapersons here, president of the Sabha Rong Bong Terang and secretary Paramananda Rajbongshi said that the government has been lackadaisical towards the demand of the Sabha for implementation of the official language which has compelled the literary body to decide upon an intensive agitational plan.
It needs to be mentioned here that the Sabha has been pressing for use of Assamese and ethnic languages in certain pockets of the State to create an ambience of unity and understanding.
�In keeping with the Assam Official Language Act, the State Government should frame a new law for preservation and promotion of mother tongue,� said Rajbongshi suggesting that if the Chief Minister takes charge of the Assam Official Language Act Implementation Committee, then matters might improve.
Rajbongshi also informed that the Sabha has decided to prepare an online dictionary in keeping with the changing times. For this project, the Sabha will take both the Hemkosh and the Chandrakanta Abhidhan as the base. However Rajbongshi made it clear that the online dictionary will avoid all controversial words.
�We have already communicated with the Hemkosh publishers in regard to editing the controversial words and they have agreed,� said Rajbongshi adding that the Sabha will sort out the controversial words in consultation with experts.
This online dictionary will be ready in a year. The Sabha is going to release a practical grammar and a dictionary within five months, said Rajbongshi. As per the agitational plan chalked out by the Sabha, mass awareness meetings will be held across the State on the importance of using the official language from August 16 to 30.
�If no response comes from the government by September 15, then all the district units of the Sabha will stage token hunger strike on September 21,� warned Rajbongshi.
From September 22 to 27, the Sabha will undertake a drive to ensure that all hoardings and signboards of government and business establishments are written in Assamese or the mother language concerned as the case may be in certain areas. On October 2, the Sabha will go for indefinite hunger strike before Raj Bhawan under the leadership of its president.
