The Swahid Smarak Kshetra (Martyrs’ Memorial Complex) was inaugurated by the Chief Minister at Paschim Boragaon, Guwahati, coinciding with Swahid Diwas on December 10th. 

• The massive memorial, built in honour of the 860 martyrs of the six-year-long Assam Agitation (1979-1985), stands as a tangible commitment to fulfilling the spirit of the Assam Accord, 1985.
• The foundation stone was laid in 2019 by then Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

Memorial as a Symbol of Resolve

• Tribute to Martyrs: The memorial complex, built over 150 bighas at a cost of approximately ₹170 crore, is dedicated to the ultimate sacrifice made to safeguard Assam’s identity, language, pride, and culture from illegal infiltration.
• The First Martyr: The day, December 10th, specifically commemorates Khargeswar Talukdar, the then General Secretary of the Barpeta unit of the AASU (All Assam Students’ Union), who died in the Bhabanipur incident in 1979 and is considered the first martyr of the agitation.
  • Other martyrs of the Assam Movement Ranjit Borpujari, Dileswar Tanti, Bhubaneswar Saikia, Ratan Ranjan Das.
• Key Features: The complex includes a monumental 225-ft central memorial, 860 statues of the martyrs, a meditation hall, a laser show arena, and an auditorium, ensuring it functions as both a site of remembrance and a center for cultural and educational activities.

The Renewed Focus on Indigenous Rights

• Demographic Challenge: The Chief Minister used the occasion to issue a strong caution on the current demographic challenge, asserting that the issue has become “more grave” since the Assam Movement. The focus remains on protecting the indigenous Assamese population from being marginalised in their own land.
• Land Safeguards: The government reiterated its commitment to bringing in a new law to allow land purchases only by Assamese families with a three-generation lineage, a measure directly linked to protecting indigenous rights as envisioned under Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.
• Accord Implementation: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal credited the current government for actively pushing forward the clauses of the Assam Accord, emphasizing that the memorial reflects the journey to protect the Assamese language, culture, and identity, a goal that had been delayed.

The memorial serves as a physical reminder of the movement that led to the signing of the Assam Accord, inspiring future generations to protect the state’s cultural and territorial integrity.

•  The Assam Agitation was a historic mass movement led primarily by the All Assam Students’ Union demanding the detection and deportation of illegal migrants to safeguard Assamese identity—later culminating in the Assam Accord, 1985.
  • Core Issues: Large scale illegal migration from Bangladesh affecting demography of Assam, along with identity, land and roots (jati, mati, bheti).

Exam Hook: Prelims Question

Q. With reference to the Swahid Smarak Kshetra and the Assam Agitation, consider the following statements:

1. The memorial complex was inaugurated on Swahid Diwas, which marks the martyrdom of Khargeswar Talukdar, the first martyr of the six-year-long agitation.
2. The Swahid Smarak Kshetra has been established primarily to fulfill the constitutional provisions laid out in Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.
3. The complex is located in Dibrugarh and features 860 individual statues dedicated to the martyrs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 only (B) 1 and 2 only (C) 1 and 3 only (D) 1, 2, and 3

Correct Answer: (A) 1 only

(Statement 2 is incorrect; the memorial is a governmental gesture to honor the movement, while Clause 6 deals with constitutional, legislative, and administrative safeguards. Statement 3 is incorrect; the complex is located in Paschim Boragaon, Guwahati, not Dibrugarh.)

One Line Wrap: The inauguration of the Swahid Smarak Kshetra on Swahid Diwas is a major governmental action to honour the 860 martyrs of the Assam Agitation and reaffirm the commitment to preserving the indigenous Assamese identity, which was the core goal of the historic movement.

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