Latest news with #ABSU
The Hindu
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
India squandered its strategic advantage during the birth of Bangladesh, says Assam CM
GUWAHATI The creation of Bangladesh after the 1971 war with Pakistan was not a diplomatic triumph for India, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma indicated on Sunday (May 11, 2025). He said India squandered its strategic advantage during Bangladesh's birth on several counts. These included not securing a corridor wider than the 'Chicken's Neck', the narrow strip in West Bengal's Siliguri region connecting the geographically disadvantaged northeast to the country's mainland, and not ensuring easy access to the Chittagong Port. He also said India's leadership in 1971 failed to resolve the issue of illegal Bangladeshi migrants when it was in a position to do so. 'India's 1971 military victory was decisive and historic. It broke Pakistan in two and gave birth to Bangladesh. But while our soldiers delivered a stunning battlefield success, India's political leadership failed to secure lasting strategic gains,' Mr. Sarma said. 'The creation of Bangladesh is often hailed as a diplomatic triumph, but history tells a different story,' he said, calling Bangladesh's creation a strategic triumph but a diplomatic folly. The Chief Minister said India supported a secular Bangladesh, but by 1988, Islam was declared the state religion. 'Today, political Islam thrives in Dhaka, undermining the very values India fought to protect,' he said. 'Hindus, once 20% of Bangladesh's population, have dwindled to under 8%. Systematic discrimination and violence continue — a shameful reality that India has largely ignored,' he added. Mr. Sarma said that despite military dominance, India failed to resolve the vulnerability of the Siliguri corridor by not keeping a part of northern Bangladesh. Demographic impact 'No agreement mandated the return of illegal Bangladeshi migrants. As a result, Assam, Bengal, and the northeast face unchecked demographic change, sparking social unrest and political instability,' the CM said. He lamented that India did not secure access to the strategic Chittagong Port in Bangladesh. 'Five decades later, the northeast remains landlocked despite having birthed a nation through blood and sacrifice,' he said. The Chief Minister also pointed out that for decades, Bangladesh served as a base for anti-India insurgent groups, which exploited the vacuum India failed to close in 1971. 'India's military triumph in 1971 was not matched by strategic foresight. What could have been a new regional order was reduced to a one-sided act of generosity. Had Mrs. Indira Gandhi been alive today, the nation would have questioned her for mishandling the decisive victory won by our armed forces. The creation of Bangladesh was not a bargain, it was a historic opportunity lost,' he said. Civilian volunteers The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) said it would send 10,000 Bodo youths as civilian volunteers for any assistance on the India-Pakistan border. ABSU president Dipen Boro and general secretary Khanin Basumatary said the union had pledged similar support to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government during the Kargil conflict in 1999. They said the youths would be sent for national duty after proper training. The union also announced the postponement of its 57th annual conference due to the tension between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. 'At this crucial time, the ABSU stands with the nation and is always ready to protect the integrity and sovereignty of the nation,' they said.
New Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
ABSU offers to send 10,000 Bodo youth to Indo-Pak Border to support national security
GUWAHATI: The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) in Assam on Sunday expressed its willingness to send 10,000 Bodo youth to the India-Pakistan border if their services are required to help protect the nation. 'Whenever necessary, ABSU is willing to send 10,000 Bodo youth to the Indo-Pak border as civilian volunteers, following training, to defend the nation in its hour of need,' the student organisation said in a statement. It recalled that during the Kargil War of 1999, the then insurgent group Bodo Liberation Tigers Force and the ABSU leadership had expressed a willingness to join the war effort under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government in order to safeguard the country.
The Hindu
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bangladesh's birth reflected India's diplomatic folly: Assam CM
GUWAHATI The creation of Bangladesh after the 1971 war with Pakistan was not a diplomatic triumph for India, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma indicated on Sunday (May 11, 2025). He said India squandered its strategic advantage during Bangladesh's birth on several counts. These included not securing a corridor wider than the 'Chicken's Neck', the narrow strip in West Bengal's Siliguri region connecting the geographically disadvantaged northeast to the country's mainland, and not ensuring easy access to the Chittagong Port. He also said India's leadership in 1971 failed to resolve the issue of illegal Bangladeshi migrants when it was in a position to do so. 'India's 1971 military victory was decisive and historic. It broke Pakistan in two and gave birth to Bangladesh. But while our soldiers delivered a stunning battlefield success, India's political leadership failed to secure lasting strategic gains,' Mr. Sarma said. 'The creation of Bangladesh is often hailed as a diplomatic triumph, but history tells a different story,' he said, calling Bangladesh's creation a strategic triumph but a diplomatic folly. The Chief Minister said India supported a secular Bangladesh, but by 1988, Islam was declared the state religion. 'Today, political Islam thrives in Dhaka, undermining the very values India fought to protect,' he said. 'Hindus, once 20% of Bangladesh's population, have dwindled to under 8%. Systematic discrimination and violence continue — a shameful reality that India has largely ignored,' he added. Mr. Sarma said that despite military dominance, India failed to resolve the vulnerability of the Siliguri corridor by not keeping a part of northern Bangladesh. Demographic impact 'No agreement mandated the return of illegal Bangladeshi migrants. As a result, Assam, Bengal, and the northeast face unchecked demographic change, sparking social unrest and political instability,' the CM said. He lamented that India did not secure access to the strategic Chittagong Port in Bangladesh. 'Five decades later, the northeast remains landlocked despite having birthed a nation through blood and sacrifice,' he said. The Chief Minister also pointed out that for decades, Bangladesh served as a base for anti-India insurgent groups, which exploited the vacuum India failed to close in 1971. 'India's military triumph in 1971 was not matched by strategic foresight. What could have been a new regional order was reduced to a one-sided act of generosity. Had Mrs. Indira Gandhi been alive today, the nation would have questioned her for mishandling the decisive victory won by our armed forces. The creation of Bangladesh was not a bargain, it was a historic opportunity lost,' he said. Civilian volunteers The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) said it would send 10,000 Bodo youths as civilian volunteers for any assistance on the India-Pakistan border. ABSU president Dipen Boro and general secretary Khanin Basumatary said the union had pledged similar support to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government during the Kargil conflict in 1999. They said the youths would be sent for national duty after proper training. The union also announced the postponement of its 57th annual conference due to the tension between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. 'At this crucial time, the ABSU stands with the nation and is always ready to protect the integrity and sovereignty of the nation,' they said.
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Amit Shah to open Delhi road in memory of Bodo leader
GUWAHATI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate a road named after Bodofa Upendranath Brahma in New Delhi and unveil a statue of the legendary Bodo leader on May 1 to pay tribute to his legacy on his 35th death anniversary. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi will rename a stretch of Lala Lajpat Rai Marg in South Delhi as Bodofa Upendranath Brahma Marg. A statue of the Bodofa (father or guardian of Bodos) will be unveiled at the Kailash Colony roundabout. Brahma was a visionary leader and social reformer who worked for the rights, identity and uplift of the Bodo community. Shah will be chief guest at the ceremony, organised by the Assam government at Kailash Colony, New Delhi, on May 1. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Delhi counterpart Rekha Gupta will be present as special guests along with Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Pramod Boro, Delhi mayor Raja Iqbal Singh, Assam Assembly speaker Biswajit Daimary, state minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma and All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) president Dipen Boro. Commemorating the Bodo leader, the ABSU will illuminate 5 lakh earthen and candle lights on May 1 at 5.30 pm in every household and public place across Assam and Bodoland Territorial Region. 'Bodofa Upendranath Brahma dedicated his life to building an inclusive society... His ideas continue to guide generations towards collective progress,' the ABSU president said.
New Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Amit Shah to inaugurate road, statue in Delhi honouring legacy of Bodofa Upendranath Brahma
GUWAHATI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi will rename a stretch of Lala Lajpat Rai Marg in South Delhi as Bodofa Upendranath Brahma Marg to pay tribute to the legacy of the legendary Bodo leader. A statue of the Bodofa (father or guardian of the Bodos) will also be unveiled at the Kailash Colony roundabout. Brahma was a visionary leader and social reformer who worked tirelessly for the rights, identity and upliftment of the Bodo community. The ceremony will take place on May 1 at Kailash Colony, New Delhi. Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, will attend it as the chief guest. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Delhi counterpart Rekha Gupta will be present as special guests along with Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Pramod Boro, Delhi mayor Raja Iqbal Singh, Assam Assembly speaker Biswajit Daimary, Assam minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma and All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) president Dipen Boro. 'The renamed stretch is an 835-metre-50 ft wide road located near Kailash Colony Metro Station, passing alongside the Bodoland Guest House,' an official statement said. The ceremony, organised by the Assam government, marks the 35th death anniversary of the Bodofa. Commemorating the Bodo leader, the ABSU has decided to illuminate 5 lakh earthen lights/candle lights on May 1 at 5.30 pm in every household and public place across Assam and the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The BTR, which comprises five districts of Assam, is administered by the BTC. 'Bodofa Upendranath Brahma dedicated his life to building an inclusive society where people could live with dignity and secure their rightful place. His ideas continue to guide generations towards peaceful change and collective progress,' the ABSU president said at a press conference. He also said the naming of a road and the installation of the Bodofa's statue in the heart of Delhi was a proud moment, for it stands as a lasting tribute to the latter's work and ideals. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his blessings, Shah for taking forward the longstanding demand of ABSU and the Bodos, and the Assam CM for his constant support in making this tribute possible. 'The recognition highlights Bodofa's impact and his efforts to empower communities. The event will bring together leaders, citizens, and students to honour his life, principles, and enduring influence,' the student leader added.
