GUWAHATI: The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has opposed the proposed Bihar Diwas celebrations for March 22 in Assam’s Tinsukia, warning of serious consequences if the event takes place.
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The statement was put out by AASU General Secretary Pritom Neog in a video on Tuesday, March 18, where the student body declared that “only Assam Day will be celebrated here,” and threatened intensified protests if the organisers proceed with the event.
The AASU leader stated that celebrating Bihar Day in Assam is an insult to the state’s cultural and regional identity. The body urged organisers to reconsider their decision to avoid conflict.
Adding to the tensions, the banned outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) [ULFA(I)], led by Paresh Baruah, also issued a warning against the BJP-led Assam government and Hindi-speaking communities over the proposed celebrations.
In a statement, ULFA(I) called the event an “attack on the culture, heritage, and pride of indigenous people,” as the outfit’s spokesperson Ishan Asom warned of “serious consequences” if the celebration goes ahead.
Other student groups, including the All Tai Ahom Students’ Union and the All Moran Students’ Union, have also urged organisers to cancel the event.
Incidentally, Tinsukia, about 470 km from Guwahati, has a large Hindi-speaking population, mainly from Bihar and Jharkhand. It is a major commercial hub of eastern Assam. According to reports, the decision to organise Bihar Diwas was taken during a meeting of BJP leaders, including Digboi MLA Suren Phukan and Tinsukia MLA Sanjoy Kishan.