A CORRESPONDENT
DHEKIAJULI: Dhekiajuli’s historic Shaheed Maidan became the centre of public sentiment on Independence Day, as residents vowed not to let their heritage be tampered with. The message was strongly voiced by Shankar Das, Education Secretary of AASU, Sonitpur District, amid growing anger over the administration’s decision to shift the official 79th Independence Day celebration.
Breaking a decades-old tradition, the Dhekiajuli Co-District Administration relocated the official event to Bhotpara Stadium, sidelining Shaheed Maidan—a site sanctified by the blood of martyrs of the freedom struggle. The move triggered widespread outrage, with more than 30 community organizations, led by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), demanding a reversal. However, the administration stood firm on its decision.
Despite elaborate arrangements at Bhotpara, hundreds of residents, student leaders, and social bodies gathered at Shaheed Maidan to host a parallel celebration. Citizens garlanded the martyrs’ memorial, hoisted the national flag, and pledged to protect the legacy of the ground that has been the focal point of Republic and Independence Day ceremonies for generations.
Addressing the crowd, Rana Pratap Boruah, Chief Adviser of AJYCP, condemned the administration’s move, calling it an insult to Dhekiajuli’s identity. “Shaheed Maidan is not just an open field; it is a living monument of sacrifice. No authority has the right to erase this tradition,” Boruah declared, receiving thunderous applause.
The Dhekiajuli Press Club, led by President Bhagaban Baishya, also joined the symbolic protest along with several civic groups, deepening the divide between administrative convenience and public sentiment. Observers noted that while official proceedings continued at Bhotpara, the majority of residents gravitated toward Shaheed Maidan, reflecting where the town’s emotional allegiance truly lay. The controversy has now sparked a wider debate: should heritage and collective memory be compromised for administrative preference?
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