Guwahati, 20 June (HS): Assam BJP on Saturday paid rich tributes to legendary revolutionary, cultural icon and people's artist Bishnu Prasad Rabha on his death anniversary, describing him as a torchbearer of Assam’s awakening and a lifelong champion of dignity, self-respect and national consciousness.
At a commemorative programme held at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan, the state headquarters of the BJP in Basistha, Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia offered floral tributes to Kalaguru Rabha and said that generations of Assamese people would continue to draw inspiration from his life and ideals. Addressing the Rabha Divas observance in the presence of Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Bora, Saikia said Rabha’s relentless struggle for the rights, dignity and self-respect of the Assamese people ushered in a new era of social and cultural awakening in Assam.
Highlighting Rabha’s multifaceted contributions, Saikia described him as an accomplished lyricist, dramatist, storyteller, anthropologist, filmmaker, painter and philosopher. He said that beyond his artistic achievements, Rabha remains immortal as a fearless revolutionary who inspired the masses to uphold their cultural identity and national pride.
During the programme, noted Assamese vocalists Sandhya Menon, Shanta Uzir and Malabika Bora were felicitated for their significant contributions to the fields of music, culture and social service.
In a separate statement, Assam BJP spokesperson Manas Sarania launched a strong attack on the Congress, alleging that the party had subjected Bishnu Prasad Rabha to humiliation and persecution. He claimed that Rabha consistently opposed exploitation, discrimination and injustice during both the colonial period and the post-Independence Congress regime.
Sarania said Rabha mobilised people against British rule and later raised his voice against corruption, misgovernance and policies that he believed were detrimental to the interests of Assam. According to him, Rabha worked to unite the diverse communities of the state through cultural renaissance and revolutionary thought, advocating a society based on harmony and collective progress.
The BJP leader further alleged that Rabha faced political persecution for his opposition to Congress policies and was branded a threat by the then government. Referring to historical accounts, Sarania claimed that Rabha and his wife were arrested in Kokrajhar in 1951 and imprisoned under difficult conditions.
Asserting that the people of Assam have not forgotten the treatment meted out to the revered cultural icon, Sarania demanded that the Congress formally apologise for the alleged injustices suffered by Bishnu Prasad Rabha. He questioned when the party would seek forgiveness from the people of Assam for what he described as the humiliation and persecution of the Kalaguru.----------
Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
