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Clause 6 of the Assam Accord
Context
The Assam government has recently recognized 1951 as the cut-off year for implementing key recommendations from the Justice (Retd) Biplab Sharma Committee concerning Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. This decision follows discussions aimed at enhancing protections for the indigenous people of Assam and marks a significant step in addressing long-standing demands for safeguarding cultural and linguistic rights.
What is the Assam Accord?
- The Assam Accord, signed in 1985, seeks to protect the political, cultural, and economic rights of the Assamese people.
- Clause 6 specifically mandates constitutional safeguards to promote and preserve the identity and heritage of Assam’s indigenous populations.
- Justice Biplab Sharma Committee: Established in 2019, the committee aimed to explore effective ways to implement Clause 6. It emphasized identifying "Assamese People" based on roots established before January 1, 1951, a reference linked to historical census data used for the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
- Significance of the 1951 Cut-Off Year: The selection of 1951 as a cut-off year aligns with the definition of indigenous populations identified in the 1951 census.
- This approach is intended to establish clear criteria for recognizing who qualifies as an "Assamese" for various protections, although it is specified that this criterion will not impact areas such as voting or employment.
Key Recommendations and Implementation
The government has begun implementing 52 recommendations from the committee, including:
- Land Rights: Designation of restricted land ownership for "Assamese people" and a program for granting land titles to long-time occupants.
- Language Policy: Assamese will be maintained as the official language, with compulsory teaching in schools, alongside provisions for regional languages.
- Cultural Heritage: Establishment of an authority for the development of cultural sites and support for preserving indigenous cultural practices.
However, some proposals, such as introducing an Inner Line Permit (ILP) and significant reservations for Assamese people in political and employment spheres, have not been adopted.
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