Kokrajhar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing the 57th Annual Conference of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) in Kokrajhar on March 16, celebrated the achievements of the Bodo Peace Accord and outlined a roadmap for the continued development of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). Speaking to a vibrant crowd, Shah underscored the accord’s role in establishing lasting peace and fostering growth in the region.
“Since the signing of the Bodo Peace Accord, the Bodoland Territorial Region has witnessed unparalleled peace and stability,” Shah proclaimed, as the audience echoed chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram.” He began his address by paying homage to Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, the revered Bodo leader, and acknowledged the cultural heritage of Kokrajhar, Brahma’s birthplace. Shah also honored Bathou Bwrai, the supreme deity of the Boro community, and expressed his reverence for Maa Kamakhya and Maa Mahamaya, setting a tone of cultural respect and unity.
Shah lauded ABSU for its instrumental role in achieving peace in Bodoland. “The peace and harmony we see in Bodoland today are a direct result of ABSU’s relentless efforts. Without their dedication, the Bodo Peace Accord would not have been possible,” he stated. He also paid tribute to the 5,000 martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of peace in the region.
Key Announcements for Bodoland’s Future
In a landmark announcement, Shah revealed that a road in Delhi would be named after Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma. “To honor his legacy, a road in the national capital will bear the name of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma. This will be formally inaugurated in the first week of April 2025, in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma,” he declared.
Shah also highlighted the strides made in education, particularly the inclusion of the Bodo language in school curricula. “Thanks to ABSU’s efforts, examinations are now conducted in the Bodo language up to Class XII. This ensures that the Bodo language, now part of the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, will be preserved for generations to come,” he said.
Reflecting on the Bodo Peace Accord signed on January 27, 2020, Shah addressed initial skepticism from opposition parties. “Some (Congress party) doubted the accord’s success, claiming it would fail to bring peace. Today, 82 per cent of its clauses have been implemented, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Assam Government and the Government of India,” he asserted. He assured the audience that the remaining clauses would be fulfilled within the next two years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Developmental Milestones in BTR
Shah emphasised the removal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from BTR as a significant milestone. “In line with the peace accord, AFSPA was completely lifted from BTR on April 1, 2022, marking a new era of trust and progress,” he said. He also highlighted the region’s economic advancements, noting that local products like Kokrajhar’s mushrooms have gained national prominence. “Bodoland’s ‘One District, One Product’ initiative has made its mark, with products like ‘Mushroom from Bodoland’ now featured in Delhi’s top hotels,” he added.
Shah also touched upon the region’s growing sports culture, recalling the successful hosting of the Durand Cup 2024 in Bodoland. He encouraged young athletes to prepare for the 2036 Olympics, slated to be held in Ahmedabad. Additionally, he pointed to the economic boost provided by Geographical Indication (GI) tags, with over 1,000 local products receiving recognition. “This has spurred entrepreneurship and economic growth in BTR,” he noted.
Reintegrating Former Militants into Mainstream Society
Shah detailed the government’s efforts to rehabilitate former insurgents, revealing that 4,881 cadres of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) had been reintegrated into society over the past three years. “The government has spent approximately Rs 287 crore on their resettlement, with 90% of the funding provided by the Narendra Modi government,” he said. He also commended Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for facilitating the employment of 400 Bodoland youths in the Assam Commando Battalion.
Shah expressed his deep appreciation for the Bathou religion, sharing insights from its scriptures. “The Bathou religion, centered around the five elements of air, fire, earth, water, and ether, holds profound wisdom. Bathoubwrai, its supreme deity, symbolizes the essence of this faith,” he said. He also praised Biswajit Daimary for delivering a speech in Bodo at the Rajya Sabha, highlighting the importance of linguistic and cultural preservation.
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