Swahid Divas losing its essence, says Khargeshwar Talukdar's brother

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Government should know the spirit of the Swahid Divas (Martyrs' Day), said Chandrakanta Talukdar, brother of the first martyr of Assam Agitation, Khargeshwar Talukdar.

The 22-year-old general secretary of Barpeta AASU unit, Khargeshwar Talukdar, was the first person to be martyred in the Assam Agitation on December 10, 1979 at Bhabanipur. The Swahid Divas is observed to remember his sacrifice.

Talking to The Sentinel on the eve of the Swahid Divas,Talukdar lauded that the day is being observed by the government, political parties and student bodies. However, he underlined that the day has lost its essence.

"I feel that the essence of the Swahid Divas has been lost as nowadays it is being celebrated like a festival. The main motive of the Assam Agitation was to deport foreigners. However, this motive is now being compromised. The government is now going to implement the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act). But before implementing the Act, the Government should realize why the six-year-long Assam Agitation was started. Why hundreds of youths were martyred? Why the people are observing Swahid Divas in memory of the deceased?"

Further, Talukdar said in 2012 and 2017, he participated in the Swahid Divas programme organized by the State BJP. He stressed that his motive behind the participation was to support the State BJP in highlighting the Assam Agitation and illegal immigration crisis at the national level.

He appealed to the both the Central and State governments to understand the essence of the day and understand the grief of the victims' families.

"After six-year-long Assam Agitation, the Assam Accord was signed in the midnight of August 14, 1985. But now, a section of people are trying to spell disaster for the Assam Accord. The Assam Accord will never be a spell disaster. It is a document to safeguard the indigenous people, language, culture and heritage of the State," Talukdar asserted.

He opined that through the implementation of Assam Accord, the State will be developed along with the indigenous population.

He also urged the Government to implement all the Clauses of the Assam Accord and demanded solution to the problems of the victims' families.

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