Guwahati: The Barak Democratic Front (BDF) demanded an apology from Assam Minister Chandramohan Patowary for his past remarks labelling the language martyrs as “troublemakers” during the commemoration of Language Martyrs’ Day on Monday (May 19) in Barak Valley.
The day 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.
A BDF delegation paid tribute at Silchar Railway Station and the Silchar Cremation Ground, the sites associated with the 1961 language movement.
BDF Chief Convenor Pradip Datta Roy emphasized the significance of the day and the ongoing struggle for official recognition of the martyrs.
“We come here every year to honour the eleven martyrs,” Roy stated.
“This year, we are pleased that representatives from the Assam Sahitya Sabha have acknowledged the martyrs and supported our demand to rename the Silchar Railway Station as ‘Bhasha Shahid Station.’ This is a significant development. However, mere support is insufficient. The government must take immediate action to discuss and implement this demand,” he said.
Roy criticized the government’s continued inaction, noting that 65 years have passed without official recognition or financial assistance for the martyrs’ families.
“The martyrs have not been accorded their rightful honour; this is our failure,” he said.
Roy stated, “The government must accept these demands and implement them immediately.”
The BDF’s primary demand remains an apology from Minister Chandramohan Patowary. Roy recalled Patowary’s past statement, made during his time as an AGP leader, where he referred to the martyrs as “troublemakers,” justifying their shooting.
“He insulted the sentiments of four million people in Barak,” Roy asserted.
He said, “On this Martyrs’ Day, we demand he apologize in the Assembly.”
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The BDF delegation included Debayan Deb, Haradhan Dutta, Hrishikesh Dey, and Joydeep Bhattacharjee, among others.
The organization pledged to continue its advocacy for the martyrs’ recognition and the renaming of the Silchar Railway Station.
