Hindi Introduced in Assam Assembly As Official Language; No Change to Bodo Status

For the first time in 89 years of Assam Legislative Assembly history, Hindi has been introduced as an official language for assembly proceedings from the first day of the Assam Assembly Budget Session, which begins on July 6.

Budget Session To Run For 21 Days

The Budget Session of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly begins on July 6 and runs until July 31, 2026, spanning 21 days. The state budget for the 2026-27 financial year will be presented on July 10.

Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Ranjit Dass said Hindi would be introduced as an official language in the Assembly, alongside Assamese, English and Bodo, starting with the Budget Session. Hindi ‘Imposition’ Row: Maharashtra Govt Scraps GRs on Hindi As Optional Language; Appoints Committee for Report on ‘Trilingual Formula’.

Decision Taken At General Purpose Committee Meeting

Dass said the decision was taken at a general purpose committee meeting held on Saturday, attended by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika, Minister Keshab Mahanta, Leader of Opposition Wazed Ali Chowdhury, and MLAs Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Sobharam Basumatary, Chakradhar Gogoi and Joy Prakash Das. 'Hindi Not a Rival, but a Friend to Indian Languages', Says Amit Shah.

"In the meeting, we have decided to introduce the Hindi language in the state assembly as Hindi is the Rashtra Bhasha. Earlier, three languages, Assamese, English and Bodo, were here, and for the first time, the Hindi language has been introduced. Hindi is Rashtra Bhasha, and to recognise it, we have decided to introduce the Hindi language," Dass said.

"Since Hindi is a 'Rashtra Bhasa', as a sign of respect for it we have decided to introduce it in the House," the Speaker added.

Dass also said the committee had decided to rename ALA TV, which streams the Assembly's proceedings, as "Assam Bidhan Sabha TV."

Rumours Of Bodo Being Dropped Spark Protests

After a rumour spread on social media claiming Bodo language had been omitted in Bodoland Territorial Council while introducing Hindi, people came out in large numbers to protest, erasing or marking Assamese words in black. BPF MLA Sobharam Basumatary, who was present at the meeting, categorically denied any such decision and urged people not to act on rumours.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also dismissed speculation that Bodo would be withdrawn as an official language in the Assembly.

In a post on X, Sarma said the Speaker had informed him there was no proposal to discontinue the use of Bodo. He said the Bodo language is an inseparable part of Assam's cultural heritage and identity, adding that it "carries the history, traditions, and aspirations of the Bodo community and enriches the vibrant diversity that defines our state." He said the state government remained committed to preserving and promoting the Bodo language.

Bodo is among the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. It was notified as an Associate Official Language of the Assembly through the Assam Official Language (Amendment) Act, 2020.

Does India Have A 'Rashtra Bhasha'?

The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution recognises 22 official languages, all of which share equal constitutional status. Article 345 of the Constitution allows individual states to designate regional languages for local administrative and legislative work. While the Speaker described Hindi as "Rashtra Bhasha," India does not have any officially designated national language. There is no statutory or constitutional definition of "Rashtra Bhasha"; it remains a social and political term without legal status.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 05, 2026 11:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).