Bengali Parishad, Assam Submits 6-Point Charter of Demands to CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Hills Live News, Haflong (Assam), Nov 1: The Bengali Parishad, Assam, has submitted a 6-point charter of demands to Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, seeking the resolution of long-standing issues, cultural recognition, land rights, and an end to citizenship-related harassment faced by the state’s Bengali community.
The memorandum was formally submitted on Sunday during a felicitation program organized by the Bengali Parishad, Assam, in Hojai. It was handed over to Minister Krishnendu Paul to be forwarded to the Chief Minister.

Government Recognition for Dhamail Dance: The Parishad urged the state government to officially recognize Dhamail, a traditional folk dance form of Cachar, and take special initiatives to showcase this cultural heritage at national and international levels.
Cessation of Harassment & Derogatory Labels: The charter called for strict measures to prevent Indian Bengali Hindus in Assam from being arbitrarily labeled as “Bangladeshis.” The organization demanded that no person should be publicly or socially demeaned as a foreigner unless legally proven through due process.
Permanent Resolution of ‘D-Voter’ Issues: The organization pressed for immediate and effective steps to resolve the long-pending ‘D-Voter’ (Doubtful Voter) crisis, ensuring that genuine Indian citizens are freed from harassment and their voting and citizenship rights are fully restored.
Land Rights & Simplification of ‘Mission Basundhara’: Highlighting the plight of landless Bengali Hindu families residing in various parts of the state for decades, the memorandum urged the government to allocate land for settlements by simplifying the rules under the Mission Basundhara scheme.
Political Representation and Land Rights in Karbi Anglong: The Parishad emphasized the issues faced by Bengalis in Karbi Anglong, where they form the second-largest community. Pointing out challenges in areas like Howraghat and Bokajan, the charter requested permanent solutions through talks with local councils to guarantee land rights and enhanced political representation.
Judicial Probe into Sribhumi (Karimganj) Immersion Violence: The organization demanded a high-level judicial inquiry into the recent violence during Durga Puja idol immersion on Dashami in Sribhumi. They called for an impartial investigation to identify culprits and ensure justice for affected individuals.
Leaders Present at the Event
The memorandum bears the signatures of Dr. Santanu Kumar Sanyal (State President) and Pradip Kumar Nag (General Secretary) of the Bengali Parishad, Assam, among other office-bearers. Copies of the memorandum have also been sent to relevant MPs and MLAs for necessary action.
The event in Hojai was attended by MPs Parimal Suklabaidya and Sushmita Dev, alongside MLAs Kishor Nath and Siladitya Dev, in whose presence the charter was handed over to Minister Krishnendu Paul.