On Thursday, newly elected members of the Assam Legislative Assembly took oaths in a remarkable nine languages, marking a significant departure from the traditional practice of using only those listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The languages included Assamese, Bodo, Hindi, Karbi, Rajbongshi, Sanskrit, Bengali, Rabha, and English. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma praised this initiative as a demonstration of the government's commitment to cultural and linguistic diversity. Out of 124 MLAs, 17 chose to take their oaths in Sanskrit, while others opted for regional languages, showcasing the rich tapestry of Assam's heritage. The decision to allow oaths in languages outside the Eighth Schedule was made after consultations with parliamentary affairs minister Atul Bora and pro-tem speaker Chandra Mohan Patowary. This historic move aims to integrate smaller ethnic groups and tribal communities into the political framework, reflecting the state's dedication to inclusivity and representation.