Amra Bangali seeks autonomous socio-economic zones under 7th Schedule for Bengalis
Dharmanagar, Nov 25: Amra Bangali on Tuesday raised demand for creation of autonomous socio-economic zones in Bengali inhabited areas under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
The demand, one of total eight-point demands was revealed during a four-hour mass sit-in at the foot of the Netaji statue in Dharmanagar today.
They were calling for protection of the Bengali community’s language, culture, heritage, and constitutional rights in Tripura.
Addressing the gathering, the leaders of the organisation said that the Bengali community, one of the historically significant populations of the state, has been facing growing marginalisation due to administrative decisions, policy shifts, and social pressures over the years.
They expressed concern that Bengali language and cultural practices are gradually losing space in government offices, administrative procedures, educational institutions, and even local marketplaces.
The organisation alleged that a deliberate attempt is underway to weaken the distinct identity and constitutional safeguards enjoyed by the Bengali community.
Eight-point charter of demands
From the protest podium, Amra Bangali placed an eight-point set of demands, which include:
* Stopping the branding of Bengalis as foreigners or infiltrators and ending all forms of harassment and displacement.
* Introducing Bengali language in Joint Entrance and all government and private job and admission examinations.
* Developing industries based on agricultural, forest and mineral resources and prioritising employment for local unemployed youth.
* Halting the production and marketing of liquor, cannabis, and other intoxicants while ensuring alternative livelihood options for those dependent on such activities.
* Restoring national symbols and statues related to the freedom movement and recognising the contribution of Bengalis in the process.
* Granting Rabindranath Tagore the status of National Poet and stopping the alleged disrespect towards Bengali language and its luminaries.
* Declaring Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birthday a national holiday and forming a special inquiry committee to investigate the mystery of his death.
* Recognising Bengali-dominated regions as autonomous socio-economic zones under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
Those present at the programme included State Secretary Gauranga Rudra Pal, Joint Secretary Dulal Ghosh, Organizational Secretary Bibhas Ranjan Das, District Secretary Jyotish Nath, and other functionaries.
The organisation also announced plans to intensify the movement in the coming days in support of Bengali language, identity, and constitutional rights.
