Recognition of Kamtapuri, Rajbanshi and Kurmali Languages by West Bengal Government

Last year, the Government of West Bengal had decided, in principle, to recognize Kamtapuri(Rajbanshi) as a State Official Language of West Bengal vide their Notification No.170-Home(Cons)/CE/N/R1M-20/2017 dated Howrah, the 6th March, 2017 and constituted an expert 7-Member Committee to examine all aspects relating to it under the chairmanship of Mr. Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri constituted by the State Govt. to study the issue. The Committee submitted its report to the State Govt.on 31st Dec. 2017.
The West Bengal Assembly passed the West Bengal Official Language (Second Amendment) Bill, 2018 on 28th February, 2018 recognizing the three languages - Kamtapuri, Rajbanshi and Kurmali which have now joined Bengali, Nepali, Urdu, Hindi, Santhali, Oriya and Punjabi (Gurmukhi) as official languages of the State. State's Parliamentary Affairs and Education Minister Shri Partha Chatterjee moved the bill which was passed by voice vote. According to the Chief Minister of the State, Ms Mamata Banerjee, the decision to include the three languages in the official languages list was based on the recommendation by a seven-member Expert Committee headed by scholar Shri Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri. Stating that her government has respect for all languages, Banerjee said she had also urged the Centre to enlist the people belonging to 'Kurmi' community under Scheduled Caste category.
            The passing of the Bill in the State Assembly, was undoubtedly a landmark decision to recognise the mother tongue of Rajbanshi group of people which is spoken by more 15 million people spread over West Bengal, Assam, Northern Bihar, Western Meghalaya in India; and, neighbouring countries of Bangladesh (Northern Region), Nepal (Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari districts) and Plains areas of Bhutan. West Bengal has taken the lead to recognise these languages for which the Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee deserves appreciation.
For long years, there has been a movement for recognition of Kamtapuri language. Kamtapuri, one of the 38 regional languages is under consideration by a high level committee appointed by the Central Government. Earlier, the demand was raised in the Parliament by the Hon’ble Member of Parliament of Darjeeling, Sardar Surinder Singh Ahluwalia in August 2014. Since, the West Bengal Government has given State recognition, Kamtapuri (Rajbanshi) language should get the approval from the Parliament and get included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India, soon.
            The recognition of their mother tongue has brought happiness to many people of Rajbanshi origin and attracted criticism from some sections of the people especially, the left parties and the Congress who are arch rivals of the Chief Minister and her party Trinamool Congress (TMC). Mr. Ashok Bhattacharjya of Communist Party of India (Marxist) opposed the idea of giving official recognition to Kamtapuri language, according to whom; the decision would instigate the separatists to divide West Bengal. Mr Sukhbilas Barma, Hon’ble MLA of Jalpaiguri of Congress party who also a Rajbanshi himself has expressed similar opinion and said that the step would instigate people for demanding separate Kamtapur State. However, the Chief Minister. Ms Banerjee has clarified her stand saying that giving recognition to a language should not be taken as division of the state and all languages should be respected; and, ruled the allegation made by the opposition CPM and Congress that recognition to Kamtapuri language would instigate their separatist movement.
                As per the rules, an amendment to the West Bengal Official Languages Act, 1961 was necessary to declare these three local languages as official languages in the district, sub-division, block or municipality, where the population of Kamtapuri or Rajbanshi or Kurmali speaking people exceeded 10 per cent as a whole or part of the district like sub-division or block. Thus, such a historic step was taken by the State Govt. However, now it has to be seen as to how the Union Govt. of India, takes the next step while giving Constitutional recognition to these two newly and separately recognized State languages i.e. Kamtapuri and Rajbanshi spoken by a same group of people whose worldwide estimated population is more than 15 Million spread over India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. 

Comments

  1. Unknown1 July 2018 at 04:26

    Why Kamtapuri and Rajbangshi listed as two separate language? It should be a Single language.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Whatifuniversr14 December 2019 at 09:25

    Can rajbangshi get special status for height in upsc for ips ?
    Can you tell me that?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Uttam Adhikary5 February 2020 at 08:42

    There is no difference between rajbangshi and kamatapuri language. So, we should understand that it is a politics to destroy our dreams

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Capt. Nalini Ranjan Ray2 July 2020 at 02:54

      You are right in saying so. Ignorance should not be an excuse - as this was the explanation when asked why a language of same people of same place has been recognised as two separate languages. Some say, it is politics of 'Divide and Rule'.

      Delete
  4. NIRMALYA6 February 2020 at 06:18

    is Koch Dynasty associate with varman dynasty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Zafar sharif12 May 2020 at 10:53

      Nope the only similarity is both are kacharis and nothing more,nonetheless it seems that is some connection,wiki-varman dynasty.

      Delete
  5. Zafar sharif12 May 2020 at 10:50

    Mamata government recognised rajbhansi language only which is also called kamtapuri u must be happy.do u have any idea that kamtapuri language has been declared goalpariya assamese by linguistic,ur land is now filled with Bangladeshi and khilongia ahomia,and bodos declared that Koch is actually bodo wow.at least mamata gave ur honour or else just see the cruel ahomia and bdesh terrorism towards Koch.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Unknown14 April 2021 at 03:49

    Respected sir,
    All articals are knowledgeable and present days truth but dark side is village rajbanshi people still don't know about thair community and cast system in India.
    Online platform only for educated people to better results, publish a bangala boi of your article and distribute to all villages.
    Jai hind sir.

    ReplyDelete

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