Paying tribute to Bhimbar Deuri, a true nationalist of Assam
(Nava Thakuria)
Guwahati: A dedicatedtribal leader turned true nationalist Bhimbar Deuri was recentlyremembered for his extraordinary contributions to the country, whileit was preparing to adopt a new identity as a sovereign nation afterdecades of foreigner’s rule.
The gorgeous function at SrimantaSankardev Kalakshetra in the city on 30 November 2023 witnessedvarious programs on Jananeta’s 76th death anniversary,where the guests spoke a volume about the legendary personality and asuccessful organizer.Patronaged by Assam government’s cultural affairsdepartment and initiated by Deuri Autonomous Council (DAC), All AssamDeuri Students’ Union (AADSU) along with the concerned residents ofGuwahati, the Bhimbar Deuri Divas was graced by State chief ministerHimanta Biswa Sarma along with State legislative assembly speakerBiswajit Daimary, State minister Ranoj Pegu, legislator Bolin Chetia,Kalakshetra secretary Sudarshan Thakur, principal secretary tocultural affairs department B Kalyan Chakravarthy, DAC chief BhairavDeuri, AADSU president Niren Deuri, secretary Tapan Deuri, etc.
CM Sarma, who unveiled the statue of Bhimbar Deuriand a bhawan at Borbari in the city virtually from the dais, paidfloral tribute to the most popular leader from the indigenouscommunity of Assam before delivering his elaborate speech. Thesaffron leader termed Bhimbar Deuri as a visionary personality whoalways raised voices for the benefit of indigenous people.Maintaining a strong stand against the infiltrators, Bhimbar Deuriplayed a vital role along with Assam’s first chief ministerGopinath Bordoloi in dismantling the conspiracy of British colonialforces to include the region in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) duringthe partition. Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi termed him as a Jananeta(people’s leader).
Bhimbar Deuri (16 May 1903 – 30November 1947) was also a successful lawyer, who logically foughtagainst the British officers in accommodating due space for thetribals in general and common residents in general. One of the primearchitects of Khasi Darbar Hall Resolutions (21–23 March 1945),where various ethnic leaders resolved for independence, Bhimbar Deurialso played a leading role in forming Assam Backward Plains TribalLeague (1933). An undisputed leader among different tribes in Assam,Bhimbar Deuri insisted on sanctioning land pattas to indigenousAssamese families, primary education to every child and adequatepolitical patronage to the deprived section in the society.
Asouvenir was also published on the occasion, where a number ofarticles highlighting different aspects of Bhimbar Deuri's life &struggles were incorporated. Edited by award winning writer BipulDeuri, the souvenir reprinted some articles penned by veteranpersonalities like Nibaran Bora, Golap Borbora, Medini Choudhury,Indibar Deuri etc. It also comprises thought provoking pieces byeminent author-scholars namely Hiren Gohain, Udayaditya Bharali, AnilBharali, Paramanda Majumder, Mayur Bora along with Dilip Patgiri,Adip Kr Phukan, Ratneswar Deuri, Soranan Deuri, Nandeswar Deuri, AnupKumar Deuri, Hem Ranjan Deuri, Subanti Deuri, Rupjyoti Konwar,Ratneswar Basumatary, Bhadreswar Deuri, Niroj Kr Raimedhi, Binu DeuriBarua, etc.
In my speech as the assignedspeaker I emphasized on recognizing Bhimbar Deuri in all India levelwith a national award. Moreover, his contributions should get theirdue space in the history of India's freedom movement. The educationalinstitutions may consider academic research on his activities and anannual lecture will be an important tribute to the great socialequalizer. At the same time, Assam should start debating over anupper house (Bhimbar Deuri was also a member of Assam LegislativeCouncil in the pre-independence era), so that the tribals andunderdeveloped communities with tiny populations can enjoy thepolitical space they deserve.
