Editor,

The recent policy introducing a local language proficiency test in government examinations across Arunachal Pradesh has sparked crucial conversations about identity, governance, and equity.

While the preservation of indigenous languages is an undeniable necessity for our tribal heritage, the implementation of this mandate raises complex questions about the definition of belonging and the future of many state aspirants.

The modern reality of Arunachal is fluid and evolving. For decades, economic opportunities, parental service transfers, and educational pursuits have led many Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) families to reside outside the state. Children in these diaspora communities often grow up without structural fluency in their native dialects due to a lack of formal learning environments.

Equally affected are the growing number of children raised within the state in mixed-culture households. When parents belong to two different tribes, navigating separate dialects at home can be challenging. In many such families, English or Hindi naturally becomes the primary medium of communication. Consequently, these children may grow up understanding only one tribal language, or none at all, despite being raised in the heart of Arunachal. While they value their unique dual heritage and take pride in their APST identity, they face the exact same linguistic barriers.

Consider an APST student from either of these backgrounds who has spent years dedicating their youth to intense preparation for state civil services or departmental exams. They possess the merit, the drive, and a genuine desire to serve the people of Arunachal. Under the current mandate, a lack of linguistic proficiency becomes an absolute barrier to entry.

Is it entirely fair to disqualify a son or daughter of the soil based on their family structure or the geographic circumstances of their upbringing, effectively sidelining their academic merit and desire to contribute to state development?

A policy of this magnitude requires a multidimensional assessment of all potential outcomes before formal implementation. However, the swift passage of this reform - seemingly accelerated by intense ultimatums and pressure from regional unions - suggests a system where policy is occasionally rushed to meet immediate populist demands. While the advocacy of union bodies stem from a protective stance over indigenous rights, public administration must maintain its independence to foresee all sides. True governance must balance the powerful voices of the majority with the silent realities of minority demographics within our own tribal community. Sometimes, yielding entirely to organisational pressure can create policy blind spots that inadvertently alienate our own people.

Preserving our linguistic roots is vital, but defining an individual's commitment to their state solely through language proficiency risks alienating a dedicated segment of our youth. True progress lies in policies that protect our rich heritage without shutting the door on capable minds eager to serve Arunachal.

A concerned APST youth