Assam Accord: This controversial clause could hold key to second term for CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says his government has set 1951 as the baseline year to identify Assamese natives

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday assured a delegation of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) that most recommendations of a high-level committee on Clause 6 of the Assam Accord will be implemented in a time-bound manner.

“We had productive discussions with AASU on implementing Clause 6. Justice Biplab Sarma had previously submitted a report, and today we reviewed which recommendations the state government can act upon. Importantly, these measures will not be enforced in Barak Valley or Schedule 6 areas without their consent. We have also urged the Centre to work with AASU on the provisions under their authority,” the CM said while addressing the media after the meeting.

This announcement comes after the Centre-appointed high-level committee led by Justice Biplab Sarma finalised its report in February 2020. Sarma said 15 key recommendations of the committee will not be implemented, and these will require Constitutional amendments.

What is the Assam Accord?

The Assam Accord was a tripartite agreement signed in 1985 between the Centre, the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP). This accord was aimed at providing constitutional safeguards to the indigenous “Assamese people”. It also ended the six-year-long agitation in Assam against the entry of Bangladeshi migrants into the state.

What is Clause 6 of the Accord?

“Constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people,” stated Clause 6 of the accord.

Despite being an integral part of the Assam Accord, Clause 6 remained unimplemented. The Biplab Sarma report opened a Pandora’s box as people in the Bengali-dominated Barak Valley expressed resentment over the recommendations, particularly the one about making 1951 the cut-off year for determining Assamese identity. Several minority groups also voiced apprehensions over the committee’s report.

The Justice Biplab Sarmah committee report said the increasing Muslim population, which started with illegal immigrants coming into Assam from Bangladesh, was alarming and hence, for the protection of the “Assamese people”, the implementation of Clause 6 was important.

Which clauses will be implemented?

Sarma said that the state government has accepted 1951 as the “cut-off date” for the specific recommendations of the report. However, he said that this definition of “Assamese people” is confined to only the context of the report’s recommendations.

These 52 recommendations largely deal with safeguards on language, land, and cultural heritage. Here are key recommendations.

Land: Creating Revenue Circles where only “Assamese people” can own and possess land.  A three year programme  will be launched to allot land titles to “Assamese people” who have occupied a certain piece of land for decades, but are without possession of land documents.

Language: Keeping Assamese as the official language throughout the state as per the 1960 Assam Official Language Act and making it compulsory for all state government acts, rules, orders, etc. to be issued in Assamese along with English.

Cultural heritage:  Establishing an autonomous authority for the development of sattras (neo-Vaishnavite monasteries), which will, among other things, provide financial assistance to them. Also, multipurpose cultural complexes will be built in each district to “uplift” the cultural heritage of all ethnic groups.

Will implementing Clause 6 help Sarma?

The Assam Accord is a document that aims at keeping alive the identity of Assamese people. According to reports, over 800 people sacrificed their lives during the Assam Agitation of 1985 against infiltration of illegal migrants from Bangladesh.

After years of denial, Sarma’s decision is like fulfilling the long-held wish of the people of Assam. This may help Sarma connect with the indigenous people. The state government is expected to begin implementing its recommendations by April 2025. The next Assembly elections in Assam are due in 2026.