The Bodoland statehood movement has once again gained significant momentum following a demonstration led by the Bodo National Students Union (BONSU) at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday, with strong support from the Bodoland Janajati Suraksha Mancha (BJSM).
The BJSM’s working president, Daorao Dekhreb Narzary, expressed full support for BONSU’s demand for a separate Bodoland state.
Led by BONSU President Bonjit Manjil Basumatary, the protesters called for the creation of Bodoland, a long-standing demand of the Bodo people in Assam.
Displaying placards with slogans like “Divide Assam 50/50” and “No Bodoland No Rest”, the demonstrators emphasised that unless a separate state is formed, Bodo issues will remain unresolved and the discrimination faced by the Bodo people will continue.
In an interview, Basumatary reiterated that the Assam government had failed to address the discrimination against the Bodos on the grounds of language, religion, and social, political, and economic disparities. “There will be no solution to Bodo issues unless Bodoland is created,” he said.
The BONSU delegation submitted a memorandum to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating their demand for a separate Bodoland state.
The student union also urged the government to grant Scheduled Tribe (Hills) status to Bodos living in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, while calling for the formation of a Bodo Regiment in the Indian Army.
Notably, Prime Minister Modi had recently inaugurated the first Bodoland Mahotsav in New Delhi on 15 November 2024, a cultural festival celebrating the heritage of the Bodos and other communities from the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of Assam.
Over 5,000 cultural enthusiasts participated, showcasing the region’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage. In his address, Modi acknowledged the contribution of the Bodo people to the nation's diversity and culture.
Why are Bodos important?
Bodos, one of the largest Scheduled Tribes in Assam, are believed to be the earliest settlers of the Brahmaputra valley, with a historical migration from Tibet and China.
The community is predominantly found in the districts of Kokrajhar, Goalpara, Dhubri, and several others in Assam.
The demand for Bodoland dates back to 1967 when Bodos began calling for a separate state due to their sense of marginalisation.
In 1993, the first agreement between the government and the All Bodo Student Union (ABSU) led to the creation of the Bodoland Autonomous Council.
This was followed by a second agreement in 2003, which led to the formation of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), comprising the districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, and Udalguri.
The region has substantial autonomy under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. However, some factions of the Bodo community continue to push for full statehood, citing the failure of the second accord to address their concerns.
The 2020 Bodo Accord, which brought an end to militancy in the region, was hailed as a significant step towards peace.
Follow us
