Archive · 13 Dec 2025
Demands for Constitutional Recognition of Languages
Two important people, Samirul Islam and Shanta Chhetri, from the Trinamool Congress party, are asking the government to include three languages—Rajbanshi-Kamtapuri, Kurmali, and Lepcha—in the Indian Constitution.
These languages are spoken in many places like West Bengal, Assam, and even Nepal and Bhutan.
The West Bengal government already recognized Rajbanshi-Kamtapuri and Kurmali in 2018.
The Lepcha language is considered endangered by UNESCO, and its speakers are worried about losing their language.
Both the MP and the former MP want the central government to officially recognize these languages to protect their cultural heritage.
The Trinamool Congress is also trying to gain political support in the region ahead of the upcoming elections.
Samirul Islam of the Trinamool Congress demanded the inclusion of Rajbanshi-Kamtapuri and Kurmali languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Shanta Chhetri, former Rajya Sabha member, appealed to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the recognition of the Lepcha language and its inclusion in Bengal’s educational framework.
The languages are spoken in North Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim, Nepal, and Bhutan.
The West Bengal Assembly granted official recognition to Rajbanshi-Kamtapuri and Kurmali in 2018, and the Lepcha community is pushing for similar recognition.
The demand is supported by several cultural organisations and community groups, with the Lepcha community launching the 'Save Lepcha Language Campaign'.
- Who
- Samirul Islam (MP, Trinamool Congress), Shanta Chhetri (former MP, Trinamool Congress)
- What
- Demand for inclusion of Rajbanshi-Kamtapuri, Kurmali, and Lepcha languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
- When
- Thursday, during the question hour in the Rajya Sabha; Lepcha campaign launched on December 9, 2025
- Where
- Rajya Sabha, New Delhi; Sikkim–Darjeeling region, Bengal, Nepal, Bhutan
- Why
- To fulfil the long-standing demand of the Rajbanshi, Kurmi, and Lepcha communities and to exert political pressure ahead of the Assembly elections
- Languages
- Rajbanshi-Kamtapuri, Kurmali, Lepcha
- Regions
- North Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan
- MP
- Samirul Islam (Trinamool Congress)
- Former MP
- Shanta Chhetri (Trinamool Congress)
- Demand
- Inclusion in Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
- State Recognition
- 2018, West Bengal Assembly
- Community Population
- Lepcha: around 700,000 in the region
- UNESCO Status
- Lepcha classified as endangered
- Political Context
- Upcoming Assembly elections, BJP's influence in north Bengal
- Community Groups
- Cultural organisations and community groups have been demanding inclusion for years
