Silchar: Renowned sports personality and former municipal commissioner Bijendra Prasad Singh has issued a powerful statement denouncing recent attempts to label Sylheti Bengali as a “Bangladeshi” language. Terming the claim as “baseless” and “deeply offensive,” Singh highlighted his deep emotional and cultural connection to the language.

Born into a Hindi-speaking family with Bhojpuri as his mother tongue, Singh eloquently likened his linguistic journey to that of Lord Krishna’s upbringing. “Just as Lord Krishna was born to mother Devaki but raised by mother Yashoda, I was born into Bhojpuri but brought up in Bengali,” he said. “And by Bengali, I specifically mean Sylheti Bengali—the language I speak, think in, and dream in.”

Singh underlined that, like lakhs of people in the Barak Valley, Sylheti Bengali is central to his identity. “For 47 years, this has been the language of my emotions my joys, sorrows, and self-expression. It will remain so for the rest of my life. No comment, however careless or controversial, can take that away,” he said.

Expressing pain at the recent rhetoric targeting Sylheti, Singh asked pointedly, “Will I too be labelled as ‘Bangladeshi’ someday?” He called for greater respect and understanding of India’s rich linguistic diversity. “This nation is built on a foundation of many languages each one a pillar of our unity. Dismissing or disparaging any language not only hurts its speakers but also weakens the very idea of India,” he added.

Concluding on a proud and personal note, Singh affirmed, “While Bhojpuri is my mother tongue, Sylheti Bengali is my language of life and I say that with pride.”

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