Skip to content Skip to navigation

Regionalism losing ground in Assam

By Daya Nath Singh |

With the lapse of time and rapid changes in political scenario the illusion of regionalism is waning in Assam and the north eastern parts of the country. During last several years Indian politics reached a chaotic situation throughout the country leading an air of hatred against the national political parties. There was a deep feeling in the people that the national political parties failed to deliver goods and look into the interests of the region. In a vast country like India every region has got different types of problems. Simultaneously, all regions of the country face different types of situations. To safeguard the interest of the region, the necessity of regional political parties was felt for the betterment and welfare the people of the region.


In Assam, even though some regional parties existed earlier, their role was negligible. With the launching of movement against the foreign nationals in the state by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and Asom Gana Sangram Parishad (AGSP), the people were inspired to struggle and fight against maladministration, corruption and other evils of the society. The controversy over the voters’ list in the state, which arose in the year 1979, is still alive. Due to inclusion of foreigners’ name in the lists, for the first time elections had to be stalled. The reports from various parts of the state came that the lists contained the names of foreigners. The delay in the process of identification and deportation of such people led to more complexity of the issue.


After continuous President’s rule for a long time a ‘drama of election’ was played by the ruling party at the Centre in 1983. Despite opposition and agitations by majority of organizations, the Congress government at the Centre was firm in its decision to hold the elections and it won the ‘so-called’ elections too, which was rejected by the people. However, with the signing of the Assam Accord on August 15, 1985, between the state government and the movement leaders, in presence of erstwhile prime minister, in New Delhi, peace returned to the state and the political scenario changed.


Ironically, the fresh elections in 1985, were held on the basis of the same electoral rolls, against which the movement was launched. The results of the polls were surprising. The newly formed Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), the staunch advocate of regionalism came to power defeating the mighty Congress. Politically immatured the AGP leaders took the reins of the state administration in December 1985. The people of the state kept high hopes on the team in handling the affairs of the state, as its active members were fully aware of the problems of the state and almost all of them were enthusiastic. The new leaders were firm in their opinion that the national parties were ‘useless’, so far the state’s matters were concerned. On public platform they declared that Delhi could not solve the problems of Assam, as it did not try to understand them. The AGP ruled the state once for a full term of five years, but failed to provide any package of relief for the people of the state. The vexed
foreign national issue remained unresolved. New problems raised ugly heads. The tribal communities of the state began disassociating and struggling to save their identity and culture. The law and order situation deteriorated. The administration could not detect and deport any foreigner from the state.


The next election in 1991, was crucial for the regional party and the Congress came to power again. It was a lesson for the AGP, which failed to deliver goods. The Congress also failed to prove its worth during its term. The people were in dilemma having no alternative to decide between these two national and regional parties. In the next elections, electorate gave another chance to AGP to rule over the state, but the party proved complete failure in administration. The state was ruled by the corruption, abduction, killings etc. The differences in the ruling party came to the surface, which was completely against the wishes of the people. The people have no choice. Illusion of regionalism has taken back seat and the Congress, the national party has made its root strong, despite all odds.


Comments

Pallavi Barua's picture

Submitted by Pallavi Barua on Fri, 21/08/2009 - 04:58
The numerous 'ism's make emotional fools of people. Be it in politics, singing competitions, awards etc., Regionalism should be done away with. It has done much harm to Assam. Sincerity, hardwork and talent form the basis of a healthy human society.

Pages

Add new comment

Random Stories

Annual General Conference of AGVBOF

26 Dec 2010 - 2:24am | Ranjan K Baruah
The first annual general conference of Assam Gramin Vikash Bank Officers Federation (AGVBOF) was held at Guwahati on 25th December at city hotel in Guwahati. The conference began with the delegate...

Questions of Agricultural Sustainability need to be addressed

18 Dec 2022 - 11:28am | AT News
Dibrugarh: Prof. Chandan Kumar Sharma from Tezpur University hosted the Northeast release of Yale University Press' award-winning Genetically Modified Democracy at Dibrugarh University on Friday. The...

Immunization drive in Kokrajhar

29 Sep 2016 - 5:21pm | AT Kokrajhar Bureau
A special immunization drive was carried out in Kokrajhar district along with rest of the state by department of Health & Family welfare,government of Assam giving utmost importance and priority...

NDFB cadre arrested

4 Jan 2012 - 3:04am | editor
Security forces on Tuesday arrested an anti-talk NDFB hardcore cadre during a joint operation in Kokrajhar district and seized huge cache of arms ammunition from him. According to sources,...

Other Contents by Author

Assam sericulture heading for a boost

Emergence of a composite silk unit, namely, Fabric Plus is a boon to the silk industry in Assam. Union minister for textiles, Dayanidhi Maran, on August 19 last, inaugurated a composite silk unit at Chaygaon industrial growth centre, near Guwahati. The project is estimated to cost around Rs.5.50 crore, including infrastructure for spun silk mill, machineries, working capital and looms etc. The promoters, Fabric Plus, have contributed an amount of Rs.22.60 lakh. The Central and State governments have provided a subsidy of Rs.155.30 lakh and Rs.48.10 lakh respectively, for installation of machineries and equipments etc. The total output from the mill is likely to support around 4000 Eri...

Do our traders lack honesty?

Trade is the ‘spinal cord’ of a country’s economy and the traders are its protectors. At a time our traders were among the most trusted nationals, who sacrificed all their earnings and belongings, when the country needed it. Those days have gone in the pages of history now. The situation is changed and the national feelings in the trading community have gradually diminished. Honesty, the essence of the trade has lost its value and it is no more the ‘best policy’ in the trade. The majority of traders feel that they could not survive if they try to be honest. They have invented the technique of more earnings with less investments and spurious products. They try...

Religious places require better environment

In the Indian life style religion has got most important place and everybody in this democratic country is free to worship one’s Almighty in one’s own way. But the religious people are divided among themselves on the pattern of worship, be they Christians, Muslims or Hindus. Many factions have emerged out in the Christianity and Islam too, but maximum division is visible in Hinduism. Though the religious teachings are about the purity of mind and hearts, in practice the followers react otherwise. Same is the case with the institutions running the religious Trusts throughout the country. In India there are thousands of religious places for Hindus, both big and small. Among them...

North Cachar Hills crying for peace

Recent violence in North Cachar Hills district of Assam has attracted entire nation to put efforts to bring peace in this ‘ever peaceful’ autonomous council. A large number of fact finding committees so far have visited the places where violence occurred with hundreds of people killed and houses burnt. Recently a five member fact finding committee of Justice on Trial visited the violence-hit N C Hills district and contacted a number of villagers and tribal groups of Dimasas, Zemes, Karbis, Kukis, Hmars and other indigenous tribes. The people are sincerely crying for peace in the areas. Women of all tribal and non-tribal indigenous groups also expressed the plight of refugees...

Nation forgets Gandhi’s wishes

Mahatma Gandhi had expressed his clear view on the importance of ‘healthy work culture’ in the Harijan newspaper of 15th October, 1938, emphasizing on hard work by the people of the country, for attaining the goal of freedom. He dared to declare as ‘declaring my birthday as a holiday should be treated as a cognizable offence’. This was a clear indication that the “Great Soul’ was confident of the might of his people, which later on succeeded in bringing freedom to the country. His experiments on Swadeshi movement brought good results. But the present situation has completely changed the whole thing and his dreams are shattered. Unfortunately, with his...

NE Election Watch monitoring Urban Local body polls

The North East Election watch, a part of National Election Watch (NEW) has been monitoring the candidates for 2009 Urban Local Body elections to be held on July 31 next, covering 70 number of town committees and municipal boards of Assam. In these Urban Local body Elections, total 673 wards of the states will face elections where 29 constituencies are reserved for SC, 34 for SC women, 5 for ST, 5 for ST women and 212 wards for general women. The Supreme Court of India has declared through its verdict dated March 13, 2003 that “It is essential by law to provide that a candidate seeking election shall furnish the details of all his assets (movable and immoveable) possessed by him or...

Aviation industry in India growing faster

Recent opening of the College of Aeronautical Engineering in Guwahati, has been welcomed by the people of the state, which has brought the hope to bring the country at par with others, providing better educational facilities and encouraging the youths to build up their career in aviation. For them the sky is not at distance. There is no dearth of meritorious young men in this part of the country. The lack of such facilities has so far been the main obstacle before them to decide a suitable career. Earlier, air travel was a privilege only a few could afford, but with the commencement of operations by the low cost careers, now large number of people can afford air travel. At present Indian...

Fiscal closing is Assam’s beginning

March month is the closing of fiscal, but the Assam government plans to begin the implementation of developmental schemes during this very month alone. An example of such action has been found in the disastrous flood and erosion problems in Matmara recently. Giving brief picture of the recent flood problems affecting Matmara, Dhakuakhana and Majuli areas of the state to media persons recently, the All Assam Water Resources Contractors’ Association (AAWRCA), alleged that ignoring the suggestions by the organization, the government had gone out of the way to implement the schemes of flood control and erosion, resulting in such calamities. The organization’s president, Muhi...

India’s ‘Look East Policy’ concern for Burmese

India the largest democracy in the world has always been maintaining good relationship with its neighbors like Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Burma. The efforts are continue for a peaceful co-existence with all its neighboring countries. At a time when this country pleads for democracy in other countries and has welcomed the democratically elected governments in Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh, its attitude towards Burma (Now Myanmar) seems a bit different. This shift in its policy took place during the year 1990, when India launched its “Look East Policy” and began to support the military junta in Burma. Since India has embarked upon building a broad based...

Small scale industries seek Assam government’s sympathy

The recent slow down in the global economy has seriously affected the business of micro and small scale industries in Assam. This has coupled with existing road blocks and pushed back this most employment generation sector into dire straits. While the global recession can not be tackled easily, the many existing impediments can easily be removed by the state government intervention,’ said B L Agarwal and J N Baruah, the president and general secretary respectively of the All Assam Small Scale Industries Association. They were addressing the media persons in Guwahati, recently. Agarwal said that the existing VAT laws in Assam are heavily loaded against the local industries. If...