The Conclave 2024: Assam Politicians Ignite Debate on Identity & Regionalism

New Delhi witnessed a fiery political showdown at The Conclave 2024, hosted at The Ashok, on October 6.

The session, moderated by Nitumoni Saikia, Editor-in-Chief of Pratidin Time, brought together key figures from Assam’s political landscape for an intense discussion on the theme, "Regional Parties and Their Role on the National Platform."

The panel featured prominent political leaders, including Akhil Gogoi, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Dilip Saikia, and Pramod Boro, who engaged in sharp exchanges over the future of regional politics in the face of the growing influence of national parties like the BJP and Congress.

The debate kept the audience on the edge of their seats, as the leaders passionately defended regionalism and its relevance in the broader national framework.

Moderator Nitumoni Saikia opened the session by emphasizing the significance of indigenous rights and identities in India's democracy, asking hard-hitting questions about the effectiveness of regional parties in safeguarding those rights.

Pramod Boro, Chief Executive Member of the Bodoland Territorial Council, acknowledged the challenges regional parties face but stressed the need for national parties to prioritize the people.

He said, “National parties must prioritize the people of the country; otherwise, they cannot remain in power.” Boro highlighted the Bodo community's ongoing struggle to preserve its identity, which he credited to regional efforts that secured 21 Geographical Indication (GI) tags for traditional Bodo items.

Boro further argued that regional parties must work in the nation's best interest but warned that national parties, like the BJP, must respect indigenous communities' rights.

“We have always fought for the identity of our Bodo people, and to date, our identity is being protected and safe,” he added.

Akhil Gogoi, president of Raijor Dal, was unequivocal in his critique of the BJP, accusing the party of undermining Assam’s identity by scrapping its special category status in 2015, which, according to him, led to severe financial difficulties.

“The BJP’s most significant mistake in Assam was scrapping our special category status,” he asserted, portraying regional parties like Raijor Dal as essential defenders of Assam’s unique identity.

His party, he explained, was born from the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which he views as a direct attack on Assam’s identity. “When a party tries to diminish a community’s indigenous identity and rights, that is when people fight back,” Gogoi declared.

Lurinjyoti Gogoi, president of Assam Jatiya Parishad, echoed these sentiments, pointing to core issues such as land, language, and resource rights as the pillars of regional politics. He criticized the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), once a formidable regional force, for failing to resist the CAA, thus losing credibility.

“AGP was born after the sacrifice of 855 people in the Assam movement, yet they did not oppose the CAA,” he remarked, underlining the AGP’s decline.

BJP leader Dilip Saikia, however, offered a different perspective, asserting that regionalism and nationalism can coexist within India's federal structure.

“Regionalism and nationalism aren’t two different things,” he stated, advocating for a balanced approach that respects regional identities while maintaining national unity.

Addressing concerns about political neglect in states like Manipur, Saikia acknowledged the complexities of such situations but stressed the government's sensitivity to these issues.

Nitumoni Saikia posed critical questions regarding the influence of the BJP on regional politics, leading to sharp exchanges between the panellists.

In a heated moment, Lurinjyoti Gogoi suggested that Pramod Boro's actions were aligned with BJP directives. Boro hit back, emphasizing the need for unity and problem-solving rather than blame-shifting.

“Instead of blaming others, we should focus on how to solve our problems,” Boro responded, urging all political leaders to prioritize Assam’s interests.

Nitumoni Saikia further pressed Boro, asking if he was merely following BJP orders. Boro firmly countered by advocating for solutions, stating, “We need to think for Assam.”

Akhil Gogoi ended the debate on a provocative note, expressing concern that regionalism in Assam could become intertwined with Hindutva ideologies under the BJP's leadership. He hinted that cooperation with the Congress might be necessary to counter the BJP’s dominance, saying, "Today's ultra-nationalists are living with the saffron water of the BJP."

His remarks struck a chord with the audience, many of whom appeared deeply concerned about the threat to Assam's cultural identity under national political influences.

The Conclave 2024 provided a gripping snapshot of Assam’s political dynamics, showcasing the ongoing tension between regional and national parties.

The panellists’ fiery exchanges underscored the urgency of redefining the role of regional parties in safeguarding indigenous rights and asserting their identities.

As these leaders navigate a rapidly changing political landscape, the future of regionalism in Assam—and its broader impact on India's democracy—remains in delicate balance. The battle for identity and representation is far from over, and the stakes could not be higher.

In conclusion, the engaging discussions at The Conclave left the audience with a palpable sense of urgency and a reminder that the fight for Assam's political future is far from over.

As the leaders grapple with their roles, indigenous rights and regional identities remain at the forefront of this critical discourse.

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