Prime Minister Honours Assam Agitation Martyrs, Unveils Gopinath Bordoloi Statue
Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday concluded his two-day official visit to Assam and departed for New Delhi, marking the end of a historic tour that combined development initiatives with symbolic recognition of Assam’s history, identity and sacrifices.
Arriving in Assam on December 20, the Prime Minister took part in a series of political, developmental and cultural programmes in Guwahati and Namrup, many of which were described by observers as unprecedented. Political analysts noted that Modi’s visit went beyond routine governance, acknowledging long-standing emotional and historical issues of the state.
First Prime Minister to Pay Tribute to Assam Agitation Martyrs
One of the most significant moments of the visit came on December 21, when Prime Minister Modi paid homage to the martyrs of the Assam Agitation at the Swahid Smarak Kshetra in Boragaon, Guwahati. This marked the first time any Prime Minister of India formally paid tribute to the national martyrs of the six-year-long movement against illegal immigration.
The Prime Minister offered floral tributes before the eternal flame dedicated to the 860 martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the movement. He also garlanded the bust of Khargeswar Talukdar, the first martyr of the Assam Agitation. Modi spent nearly 20 minutes at the memorial, walking through the complex and visiting the gallery housing the busts of the martyrs.
Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Assam Accord Implementation Minister Atul Bora accompanied the Prime Minister during the visit.
AGP president and minister Atul Bora expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, stating that no Prime Minister since Independence had honoured the Assam Agitation martyrs in this manner. “It is a historic and memorable day for Assam. The Prime Minister showed deep interest in learning about the martyrs and their sacrifices,” Bora said.
Memorial a Symbol of Long-Delayed Recognition
Built at a cost of around ₹170 crore, the Swahid Smarak Kshetra includes an auditorium, prayer hall, gardens, cycling tracks and a laser-based sound and light show highlighting the Assam Agitation and the state’s history. The memorial was inaugurated earlier this month, coinciding with the death anniversary of Khargeswar Talukdar on December 10.
Though the Assam Agitation concluded with the signing of the Assam Accord on August 15, 1985, many believe that the martyrs had long remained without due national recognition. The Prime Minister’s tribute is therefore being viewed as a symbolic closure to a four-decade-old emotional chapter.
Statue of Gopinath Bordoloi Unveiled, Airport Terminal Inaugurated
On December 20, shortly after arriving in Assam, Prime Minister Modi unveiled a grand statue of Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi, Assam’s first Chief Minister, at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati. He also inaugurated the airport’s newly constructed terminal.
Addressing the gathering, Modi described Bordoloi as the pride of Assam, stating that he never compromised on the state’s identity, future and interests. “This statue will inspire future generations and instil pride in Assam,” the Prime Minister said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the inauguration marked another milestone in strengthening Assam’s modern infrastructure and connectivity. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said Bordoloi’s visionary leadership had safeguarded Assam’s identity during the most critical phase of India’s freedom movement.
Members of Bordoloi’s family were present during the unveiling ceremony.
Massive Roadshow to BJP Headquarters
Later on December 20, Prime Minister Modi held a massive roadshow from Borjhar to the state BJP headquarters, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan. Thousands of party workers and supporters lined both sides of the road, raising slogans such as “Modi Modi,” “Jai Aai Axom,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”
Traditional cultural performances, including Bihu, Bodo and tea-tribe dances, were organised along the route. The Prime Minister greeted the crowd by waving from his vehicle, as security remained tight across the area.
‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ and Namrup Public Rally
On the second day of his visit, Prime Minister Modi interacted with students aboard a vessel on the Brahmaputra as part of the ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ programme. Educationists noted that this was the first time such an interaction was held in Assam in this format.
Later, the Prime Minister addressed a massive public rally in Namrup, focusing on development, self-reliance and Assam’s future growth prospects. He also laid the foundation stone for new projects at the Namrup fertiliser plant.
A Visit to Remember
Political observers and civil society groups have described Modi’s two-day Assam visit as one of the most significant by any Prime Minister in recent decades. By combining infrastructure development, youth engagement and long-awaited recognition of Assam’s historical struggles, the visit is expected to leave a lasting impact on the state’s political and social landscape.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed Assam for New Delhi on Sunday evening, concluding a visit many in the state have termed historic and emotionally resonant.
