Silchar (Assam): Ahead of the 63rd anniversary of the 1961 language movement, the Barak Democratic Front (BDF) has renewed its long-standing demand for renaming Silchar Railway Station to ‘Bhasha Shahid Station’, urging the Assam government to act before May 19.
The date marks the tragic events of 1961, when 11 people lost their lives at Silchar Railway Station during a protest to safeguard the status of the Bengali language in the Barak Valley.
Each year, the day is commemorated across the valley with solemn respect and emotional reflection.
In a press statement, Pradip Dutta Roy, Chief Convener of the BDF, welcomed recent development announcements by the state government for the Barak Valley.
However, he criticised the prolonged delay in renaming the railway station, despite assurances at various administrative levels.
Roy noted that the Union Ministry of Railways has already cleared the proposal, and even directed the Assam government to send the new nameplates in multiple languages.
“The file has remained stalled in Dispur, and despite previous directives by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty, no progress has been made,” Roy said in the statement.
“It’s a simple but deeply emotional demand. The renaming honours not only the Bengali community but reflects the collective spirit of the Barak language movement, which saw active participation from the Dimasa, Manipuri, tea tribe communities and others,” Roy said.
He urged the state government to complete the renaming process before May 19, calling it a matter of cultural justice.
Adding to the appeal, Jaydeep Bhattacharjee, convener of BDF’s media cell, reminded the public that during former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s tenure, an announcement was made for setting up a ‘Bhasha Shahid Memorial Museum’, with an allocation of Rs. 8 crore.
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However, the project has yet to see the light of day. Bhattacharjee urged the government to revisit the proposal and expedite its implementation.
He added that recognising the contributions of the 1961 martyrs through such initiatives would promote unity between Barak and Brahmaputra valleys, and demanded official acknowledgment and financial assistance to the families of the language martyrs.
