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Assam

“If You Can’t Control Fire, Don’t Ignite It Through Writing”: CM Warns Young Writers at Assam Book Fair

Drawing parallels with events in Bangladesh and Nepal, the Chief Minister said that societies often become unstable or weakened after revolutions if they fail to engage in honest introspection through literature and dialogue

  • DY365

DY365

CM Says Writers Helped Fuel Insurgency, Failed to Own Consequences
CM Says Writers Helped Fuel Insurgency, Failed to Own Consequences

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday underscored the responsibility of writers in shaping society, warning against provocative and unaccountable literature, while addressing young writers at the Assam Book Fair at Khanapara.

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Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said today’s Assamese writers are not creators of the language but inheritors of a linguistic tradition that has evolved over centuries. He expressed concern that despite access to platforms and resources, contemporary literary works have failed to create meaningful social churn over the years.

He emphasised that originality is essential for enduring literature, stating that without original thought, no writing can become timeless or influential. According to him, writing that carries originality compels readers to think and engage with ideas.

Referring to technological changes, CM Sarma said writers must learn to compete with Artificial Intelligence (AI), noting that AI itself depends on human creativity for its inputs. He added that literature today is no longer limited to books and can emerge across platforms, including social media.

Bangladesh, Nepal and the Aftermath of Revolutions

Drawing parallels with events in Bangladesh and Nepal, the Chief Minister said that societies often become unstable or weakened after revolutions if they fail to engage in honest introspection through literature and dialogue.

Referring to Assam, he said the state witnessed three major phases of upheaval, with the Assam Movement being more powerful than similar movements elsewhere. However, he noted that society gradually chose to forget the movement’s discourse and sacrifices, including paying homage at martyr memorials.

He said that following the Assam Movement, the state witnessed the rise of armed insurgency, including the ULFA movement and later ULFA(I). During that period, a large body of literature and songs emerged, many of which inspired youths to join the armed struggle.

The Chief Minister pointed out that during ULFA’s armed phase, columns published in certain Assamese weekly newspapers and magazines glorified violence, and that such writings indirectly contributed to a cycle of bloodshed in which many youths, ULFA cadres and security personnel lost their lives.

He said several senior ULFA leaders later died, but society neither critically examined that phase nor held the writers of that era accountable. As a result, much of the revolutionary literature from that period has become irrelevant today.

Accountability of Writers

CM Sarma emphasized that writers must shoulder a responsibility akin to that of politicians, particularly when their words shape public opinion.

“If one does not have the power to extinguish a fire, one has no right to ignite it through writing,” he warned.

He cautioned that literature that sparks unrest without offering solutions or accountability is dangerous.

Additionally, he criticized selective writing that focuses on corruption while overlooking positive developments, such as employment generation, calling it a commercialization of literature rather than responsible authorship.

Young Writers’ Honour and Discontent

As part of the programme, 818 young writers were conferred the Young Writers’ Honour, with ₹25,000 awarded to each recipient. The Chief Minister handed over symbolic cheques to five awardees.

However, several young writers later expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of certificates or formal citations along with the financial assistance.

Speaking to the media, including DY365, they said monetary support alone does not constitute recognition and urged the authorities to provide certificates or citations in future.

Assam Book Fair

The Assam Book Fair began today at the Khanapara playground, with 135 publishing houses participating.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu, noted author Amish Tripathi, and Asom Sahitya Sabha President Basanta Kumar Goswami, among others.

CM at Kalakshetra Appointment Ceremony

Earlier today, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the ceremonial distribution of appointment letters of the Health and Family Welfare Department (Tea Garden) at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Panjabari.

Addressing the gathering, he announced that the Assam government will shortly introduce three per cent reservation for candidates belonging to tea tribe and indigenous communities in Grade I and Grade II government services.

He further stated that ADRE Grade III appointment letters will be issued on January 10, while Grade IV appointments will be completed after Magh Bihu.

The Chief Minister also announced that the government will open 100 new high schools in tea garden areas in January, aimed at improving educational access in tea belt regions.

Also Read: “Cannot Go Beyond High Court Orders on Eviction,” Says Assam CM

Himanta Biswa Sarma Assam Book Fair
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