Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has publicly called on the residents of Assam to record Assamese as their mother tongue in the upcoming census. The appeal is part of a broader effort to strengthen the linguistic identity of the state. During his address, Sarma emphasized the importance of the Assamese language in the state's cultural and social fabric.

However, the Chief Minister acknowledged the state's linguistic diversity, specifically addressing the Barak Valley region, which has a significant Bengali-speaking population. Sarma stated that residents of the Barak Valley, as well as various tribal communities throughout the state, are not under a mandate to adopt Assamese. He noted that these groups may exercise their own discretion when identifying their mother tongue for census purposes. This distinction highlights the government's attempt to balance the promotion of the state's primary language with the recognition of its minority linguistic groups.

The census process is a sensitive issue in Assam, where language and identity have historically been central to political and social discourse. By encouraging the adoption of Assamese, the state government aims to consolidate the demographic data surrounding the language. While the Chief Minister’s request is framed as an encouragement rather than a legal requirement, it has drawn attention to the ongoing debate regarding linguistic assimilation versus the preservation of regional and ethnic identities within the state. The government maintains that the census is an opportunity for citizens to express their cultural affiliation, though observers note that such appeals often carry significant political weight in the region.