Cachar District Mandates Bilingual Communication; Bengali Language to Get Official Priority

Silchar, June 17, 2025: In a landmark move reinforcing linguistic equity, the Cachar District Administration has officially directed all government offices within the district to issue communications in both English and Bengali, thereby giving the Bengali language its long-awaited administrative recognition in day-to-day governance.

The directive, issued under memo no. 130121/224-E, cites instructions from the Assam Government’s Political (B) Department (No. RLR.92/2015/54, dated 14-04-2015), which mandated the use of both English and Bengali in all government correspondences across Barak Valley. As per the fresh order dated June 17, 2025, all heads of government offices in Cachar are required to implement this bilingual format immediately.

“In accordance with state-level instructions, all official circulars, notifications, and memoranda must now be issued in English and Bengali,” the order stated.

The Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, Mr. Hridul Das, who signed and issued the circular, emphasized that this policy aims to ensure linguistic inclusivity, accessibility, and transparency in government functioning—especially for the Bengali-speaking population of the Barak Valley.

Boost for Bengali in Government Communication

This directive marks a significant acknowledgment of the cultural and linguistic identity of Cachar’s residents. It is being viewed as a progressive step towards fulfilling the long-standing demand of Bengali-speaking citizens for equal linguistic representation in official matters.

To facilitate smooth implementation, the order has been circulated among:

• All departmental heads in Cachar,
• All Additional Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Officers (including Lakhipur),
• Circle Officers and senior revenue officials,
• The DIPRO, with instructions for wide public dissemination of the notification,
• Respective government branch offices for compliance.

Public Reaction & Cultural Significance

Local intellectuals, linguistic activists, and civil society members have lauded the move. “This is not just about language; it is about identity, dignity, and inclusion,” said a retired academic from Assam University.

BarakOutlet’s Editorial View

Having reported on linguistic matters for over 35 years, BarakOutlet views this notification as a historic reinforcement of Bengali as a rightful administrative language in Barak Valley. It not only honors the sentiments of the majority population but also strengthens democratic communication.

This administrative stride is expected to set a precedent for other districts with significant linguistic demographics, thereby reaffirming the constitutional ethos of cultural and linguistic diversity.

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