Tamulpur (Assam): A prayer meeting in memory of noted lawyer and human rights activist Sabda Rabha was held at Tamulpur, his hometown, following his death on January 20, 2026.
Rabha, a prominent voice for justice and rights in the Northeast, passed away due to a brain haemorrhage.
Human rights activists and legal professionals from across the region attended the memorial programme and paid rich tributes to his life and work.
Among those who remembered him were Suhas Chakma, director of Rights and Risks Analysis Group; Bamang Tago, acting chairperson of the Arunachal Pradesh State Human Rights Commission; senior advocate Sunil Mow of the Gauhati High Court; and Anthony Debbarma of the Borok Peoples Human Rights Organisation.
Justice Sanjay Medhi of the Gauhati High Court also paid tribute to Rabha through a memorial article published in The Assam Tribune.
Several tribal leaders from Assam participated in the programme, while activists from different parts of the Northeast sent condolence messages.
Speakers recalled Rabha’s unwavering commitment to the principles of justice and constitutional rights.
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His role as defence counsel for Ranjan Daimary of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland, at a time when bar associations had resolved not to represent him in connection with the Guwahati bomb blast case, was cited as a defining example of his belief that every individual deserved legal representation.
Rabha was also instrumental in defending the constitutional validity of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council before the Gauhati High Court, a legal battle that ultimately paved the way for its formation and the recognition of Rabha community rights.
Throughout his career, he represented victims from diverse backgrounds, irrespective of caste, creed, ethnicity or religion, and was widely regarded as a pioneer in building the capacity of human rights defenders in the Northeast.
Born on July 1, 1969, Sabda Rabha is survived by his wife Manumati Rabha and daughter Jennifer Rabha.
