It was a massive and splendid rally at Kokrajhar in lower Assam to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 7, 2020, which PM himself declared that it was the largest gathering in the post-independent India. Hundred of thousands of people from Bodo dominated areas along with other localities assembled there to celebrate the signing of Bodo agreement with an aim to end the ethnic tribe’s four decades long crisis.
Addressing the rally, where thousands waved national flags in their hands, PM Modi called on all separatists including Left wing extremists, religious armed radicals and northeastern insurgents to shun the path of violence and come forward to joining the mainstream society. He made it clear that the violence has neither solved any problem nor brought any success and at the same time appreciated the Bodo youths for choosing to abandon the hostilities.
Arriving in Assam for the first time amidst the ongoing protest-demonstrations against the Centre’s Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA) in the Brahmaputra Valley, the saffron leader termed the Kokrajhar rally as the largest one to acknowledge the spirit of nationalism by all Bodo tribe groups including the armed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). The meeting also witnessed a colourful cultural programme of various ethnic groups to showcase diversity of the State.
A jubilant Modi commented that the signing of the historic Bodo agreement would help bringing peace and prosperity to the region. He stated that the northeastern insurgency was creating troubles for decades claiming thousands of human lives, but past governments in New Delhi could not show the guts to address it so that lasting peace could prevail here.
“Today is the day to acknowledge the support of all young people belonging to All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), NDFB, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary and Assam government, who played a very positive role for the this agreement,” commented Modi adding that the accord would provide Rs 1,500 crore for development in Bodoland Territorial Region in the next three years and also establish several higher educational institutes and other infrastructures.
The historic accord was signed in the national capital in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, State Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary, ABSU president Pramod Boro, top NDFB leaders like Ranjan Daimary, Gobinda Basumatary, B Saoraigwra, Dhirendra Boro, etc Rajya Sabha member Biswajit Daimary, former RS member Urkha Gwra Brahma, State minister Chandan Brahma, former ABSU leader Rwngwra Narzary, etc were also present.
Recognised as the third Bodo accord, signed with an aim to end the four-decade long violent movement for a homeland for Bodo people, the agreement is expected to halt the primary demand for other political rights and development initiatives. Under the agreement, the BTC will now be renamed as Bodoland Territorial Region and Bodo language in Devnagri script will become the associate official language in Assam.
Mentionable is that the first Bodo accord was signed in 1993 with leaders of All Bodo Students Union which led to the creation of Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC). The second Bodo accord was signed in 2003 with now-defunct militant group Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) that led to the formation of Bodoland Territorial Council with four districts namely Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baska and Udalguri. Recalling the contribution of Bodofa Upendranath Brahma, Modi stated that the agreement was in accordance with the vision of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas and commitment towards a holistic development of north-eastern region ending the five-decade long Bodo issue. He stated that the government had adopted a new approach to deal with various issues plaguing the region.
“The solutions were found through deliberations and discussions with all concerned and with empathy. They were found as we dealt with everyone as our own and not as outsiders. We conversed with them and made them feel one of our own. This has helped reduced extremism. Earlier, there were about 1000 killings in Northeast due to extremism but today, on the whole, the situation is normal and peaceful,” he revealed.
Mentioning 15th century Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardev as a great social reformer who shaped the inclusive Assamese society and its culture, Modi also remembered legendary cultural personality Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika as a close relative, as he married his diplomat wife (Priyambada Patel) from Modi’s home State of Gujarat. Modi did not lose the opportunity to target Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in his speech. Without naming the former Congress president for a recent comment that Indian youths would beat Modi with sticks for not having enough jobs, the Prime Minister stated that those sticks would have no impact on him as he is always blessed and protected by millions of sisters and mothers.
He also criticised the previous Union Governments in New Delhi for ignoring the problems of North East which instigated a kind alienation among the residents that tempted a section of youths to take up arms as they lost their faith in the Constitution. No serious efforts were made to listen properly to the northeastern people that resulted in endless agitations, blockades and violent incidents, asserted Modi.
“Earlier, the region was understood as very far from the national capital, but today New Delhi comes to North East paying attention to your voices. We made it clear that a Central Minister would definitely visit the region by every fortnight to spend time with the locals to solve their problems,” stated Modi.
After avoiding at least two important occasions to visit Assam following the relentless anti-CAA protests in the recent past, Modi’s Kokrajhar visit carried significances. Earlier a summit meeting between Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe was scheduled for Guwahati in December but it was cancelled because of anti-CAA agitations. Later PMO declined an invitation to attend Khelo India games held in Guwahati understandably for the same reason.
All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), North East Students’ Union (NESO), Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS) and few agitating organisations warned that they would demonstrate against Modi’s visit anywhere in North East
But in contrast, ABSU leaders came out with a statement calling upon everyone irrespective of caste, creed, religion, etc to participate in the grand ceremony. Thanking both the governments in New Delhi and Dispur for the accord, they stated that people were waiting to welcome Modi with open hearts.
The government also declared it as a public holiday for the convenience of the residents in Bodo-dominated localities in western and central part of to join in the celebrations.
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