Guwahati:Amid the protests by some regional political parties, community-based bodies, and the militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has canceled its plan to celebrate ‘Bihar Diwas’ in Assam’s Tinsukia district on March 22, a top party leader said on Thursday.
BJP’s Decision to Avoid Controversy on ‘Bihar Diwas’ celebration
State BJP President Dilip Saikia said the party has decided not to celebrate ‘Bihar Diwas’ in Tinsukia to avoid hurting local sentiments.
Saikia, also a Lok Sabha member from the Darrang-Udalguri parliamentary constituency, added that many states, including Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Nagaland, have celebrated ‘Assam Diwas’ on December 2 every year.
‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ Initiative
“The Bihar Diwas was to be celebrated as ‘Sneh Milan Utsav’ (festival of affection and togetherness) as part of the BJP’s ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ plan over the past few years to uphold togetherness and coexistence across the country. We have decided not to hold ‘Bihar Diwas’ in Tinsukia on March 22 after certain sections of society have expressed their opposition about the event,” the BJP leader told the media.
However, he said that the day would now be celebrated in other parts of Assam.
Assam CM Criticizes Opposition
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called the opposition to celebrating ‘Bihar Diwas’ an act of ‘communal hatred’.
He said that when ‘Assam Day’ can be observed in other states of the country, it should ideally be reciprocated in Assam too.
“Such hostility and prejudice could put off investors,” CM Sarma said, reminding people of the possible impact the display of “such mindset” could have on people from Assam studying, working, and living in different parts of the country.
ULFA (I) Issues Warning Against Celebration
The ULFA (I), headed by Paresh Baruah, on Wednesday warned the organizers of ‘Bihar Diwas’ in Tinsukia on March 22 of dire consequences if they went ahead with celebrating a state that is one of the representatives of “Indian occupational forces”.
Opposition from Regional Parties and Indigenous Groups
Subsequently, local parties and indigenous communities such as Ahoms and Morans also expressed their opposition to the celebration of ‘Bihar Diwas’.
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Raijor Dal leader and party MLA Akhil Gogoi criticized the BJP for its bid to organize ‘Bihar Diwas’ with an eye on the Hindi-speaking voters in Assam.
Another regional party, the Assam Jatiya Parishad, also slammed the BJP for “insulting the Assamese people” with its plan to “appease” people from Bihar. Notably, Elections for the 126-member Assam Assembly are due in April-May 2026.
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