Proposal for Constitutional Recognition to Kamtapuri/ Rajbanshi Language and its Inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India
Introduction 1. Kamtapuri/Rajbanshi is an old language and is spoken by a large ethnic group of people residing from time immemorial in a vast region of eastern/ northeastern part of India. Their demographic location is contiguously spread over entire North Bengal, Lower & major portion of Assam, north-eastern districts of Bihar and neighbouring countries viz. northern part of Bangladesh and north-eastern districts of Nepal. Although their mother tongue meets all the criteria for official recognition as a language, government patronage and official recognition are essential for its existence and further development. With a view to save this language from getting extinct, immediate steps should be taken by our Govt. and, this language should be given constitutional recognition and be included in the eighth schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. The reasoning and justification for grant of constitutional recognition to Kamtapuri language w