Batadrava: A tense situation prevailed in Batadrava on Friday over the visit of MP Gaurav Gogoi. Workers of the Congress and the BJP came face to face, leading to heated exchanges. While Congress workers raised slogans of “Gaurav Gogoi zindabad,” BJP workers and supporters shouted slogans such as “Gaurav Gogoi murdabad” and “Rakibul Hussain murdabad,” further escalating the situation. Scuffles also broke out between Congress and BJP workers.
It is noteworthy that as part of the programme titled “Time for Change, Save the Land, Save the Community,” Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi arrived on Friday at Batadrava Than, the sacred birthplace of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva. He was accompanied by MPs Pradyut Bordoloi and Rakibul Hussain, MLAs Nurul Huda and Sibamani Bora, along with Debabrata Saikia, Bhupen Bora, Ripun Bora, Jitendra Singh, and several senior Congress leaders.
However, as Gaurav Gogoi entered the Batadrava Than premises, the situation turned tense. A section of BJP workers staged protests by raising slogans such as “Gaurav Gogoi murdabad,” “Pakistani agent Gaurav Gogoi murdabad,” and “Gaurav Gogoi go back.”
BJP workers alleged that Gaurav Gogoi had shamelessly come to Batadrava Than. They claimed that during the Congress regime, the birthplace of Gurujana Sankardeva had been handed over to suspected Bangladeshis, whereas the BJP government evicted suspected Bangladeshis and freed Batadrava land from encroachment.
Several women BJP workers accused MLA Sibamani Bora of neglecting the people of Batadrava constituency and alleged that she shows concern only for a particular community. They said they had no objection to anyone visiting the birthplace of Gurujana Sankardeva, but they protested against political activities carried out with large convoys and slogans in the name of land and community. They further alleged that when questions were raised about land encroachment during the previous Congress government, Congress leaders failed to answer and left the spot.
BJP workers staging the protest also sat on the road holding banners thanking Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma for freeing Batadrava land from encroachment and protecting the birthplace of Gurujana Sankardeva.
Meanwhile, Congress workers raised slogans of “Gaurav Gogoi zindabad.” The counter-sloganeering by both sides created a highly tense atmosphere in the area. Following the incident, MPs Gaurav Gogoi and Pradyut Bordoloi, along with Congress leader Ripun Bora, shared their reactions with the media.
MP Pradyut Bordoloi said that Gurujana Sankardeva had given the Assamese people a pure religion rooted in Assamese identity and that through liberal and egalitarian thinking, Gurujana shaped Assamese society. Bordoloi stated that the yatra was not election-oriented but an awareness campaign against the communal politics spreading poison in Assam.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi said he wished to build a peaceful and productive society in Assam, adding, “We are continuing efforts to take Assam forward with a spirit of brotherhood.” He also stated that at Batadrava, the birthplace of Gurujana Sankardeva, there is no ruling or opposition side, and that everyone present there is a devotee of Gurujana.
On the other hand, Congress leader Ripun Bora accused the BJP of striking at the ideals of Sankardeva, calling it an unforgivable crime. He said the people of Assam would not support such barbaric acts.
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