Clause 6 of the Assam Accord
Topic: Regional Aspirations: J&K, Punjab, the North-East and Accommodation · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Clause 6 of the Assam Accord (1985) promises constitutional, legislative (by law) and administrative (by government action) safeguards to protect the cultural, social and linguistic identity of the Assamese people. It matters because it is the accord's promise to protect Assamese identity, beyond deporting migrants. Leaving it unfulfilled has kept the issue alive.
Example
A committee under Justice Biplab Kumar Sarma gave its report on carrying out Clause 6 in 2020, but implementation is still pending. It is often cited as an example of an accord that has not been fully carried out.
Don't confuse with
- Section 6A of the Citizenship Act: this section puts into law the accord's citizenship cut-offs (1 January 1966 and 25 March 1971). It was upheld in In re Section 6A (2024). Clause 6 is about protecting Assamese identity, not about who counts as a citizen.
Related concepts
- Assam Movement
- All Assam Students' Union
- United Liberation Front of Asom
- Assam Accord
- Asom Gana Parishad
- Chakma refugees
- Bru-Reang Agreement