Silchar: The Barak Democratic Front (BDF) has urged the people of Assam to register their actual mother tongue in the upcoming Census without being influenced by any political party, organisation, leader or other influential person.

In a press statement, BDF Media Cell Convener Jaydeep Bhattacharjee said the Census is an important process that provides data on the economic, social, linguistic and ethnic characteristics of the population. He said government policies and short- and long-term development plans are prepared on the basis of Census data.

Bhattacharjee welcomed the recent appeal by the Assam Chief Minister to the people of Barak Valley and indigenous communities to register their respective mother tongues in the Census. He said every citizen has a responsibility to provide accurate information during the exercise.

He said mother tongue is not merely the language spoken by a person but is closely linked to an individual’s and a community’s historical, social and cultural identity.

Bhattacharjee warned that registering a language other than one’s actual mother tongue under outside influence could have long-term consequences for the people and future generations. He also pointed out that under the Census Act, 1948, influencing people to provide false information during the Census is a punishable offence.

The BDF leader also urged citizens to provide correct information about other languages they know. He asked people to check whether the information given to enumerators has been recorded correctly and to remain alert against any deliberate misinformation or errors.

He said legal remedies are available if such irregularities are found.

The statement was issued on behalf of the BDF by its Convener Hrishikesh Dey.