Assam CM Encourages Residents to Register Assamese as Mother Tongue in Census 2027

In a recent appeal, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urged residents of the Brahmaputra Valley, including migrants, to register Assamese as their mother tongue during the ongoing Census 2027. He emphasized that this initiative is voluntary and aims to foster a sense of belonging among diverse communities. The CM highlighted the importance of Assamese as a unifying language and specified that the focus would be on Lower Assam districts. This initiative is seen as a step towards integrating various linguistic backgrounds into Assam's cultural identity while also addressing land protection in vulnerable areas.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 17, 2026, 15:53 IST

Chief Minister's Appeal for Census Participation

A file image of training for the Houselisting & Housing Census (Phase 1 of Census 2027) at Demow College

Guwahati, Aug 17: Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, has called upon individuals living in the Brahmaputra Valley, including those who have migrated from other regions of India, to declare Assamese as their mother tongue during the ongoing Houselisting Operations and Housing Census, which is part of the Census 2027 initiative.

During a press conference at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati, Sarma reiterated his appeal made on August 15, specifically targeting those who have resided in Assam for many years after relocating from other states.

He emphasized that the forthcoming Census 2027 presents a unique chance for these individuals to integrate into Assam’s cultural identity, noting that this appeal does not extend to residents of the Barak Valley or indigenous groups.

Sarma characterized Assamese as a vital “link language” that unites various indigenous communities throughout the state.

“When conversing with individuals from the Boro, Mising, or Rabha communities, I communicate in Assamese. Therefore, I am not concerned about the future of the Assamese language or any potential threats regarding it. This Census offers a chance to foster a new, inclusive collective,” he stated.

The Chief Minister highlighted that this initiative is particularly significant for regions in Lower Assam, where diverse linguistic groups have settled over time.

“This initiative primarily targets Lower Assam. Not every district requires this approach; for instance, Jorhat does not need such measures as the population there is predominantly Assamese,” he explained.

He mentioned that the government would concentrate on specific revenue circles in Lower Assam, especially in Dhubri, Barpeta, and Goalpara.

Sarma also connected this initiative to the necessity of safeguarding land in sensitive areas, stating, “The land available must be protected.”

He reassured that registering Assamese as one’s mother tongue would be a voluntary process.

“I encourage everyone to participate, and BJP MLAs will engage in their constituencies to raise awareness during the census. However, this will remain a voluntary endeavor, a modest initiative,” Sarma concluded.