The Mizoram State Committee of the Chakma National Council of India (CNCI) has reiterated its demand for the official recognition of the Chakma language in the state. The demand was highlighted during the council’s two-day general conference held at Kamalanagar (Chawngte) in Lawngtlai district over the weekend.
The CNCI expressed concern over the continued exclusion of the Chakma language from Mizoram’s list of officially recognized languages. The council also condemned the misidentification of the Chakma community as Bengalis in the annual reports of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, despite Chakmas constituting nearly one-tenth of Mizoram’s population.
“The CNCI has resolved to actively pursue official recognition of the Chakma language by the Mizoram government and will take definitive steps toward realizing this goal,” the council stated.
The conference also extended support to nationwide protests demanding the repeal of the Bodhgaya Temple Act, 1949. The CNCI urged the central government to address grievances related to the management of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya and advocated for Buddhist control over its administration.
The event was attended by key Chakma leaders, including Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) Molin Kumar Chakma, Mizo National Front (MNF) legislators Prova Chakma and Rasik Mohan Chakma, former minister B.D. Chakma, and representatives from various political parties and Chakma organizations across Mizoram.
