Guwahati, 6th June: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on June 6 honored the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi by sharing an old video highlighting Bordoloi’s pivotal role in ensuring Assam remained a part of India during the partition. In the video, Sarma recalled one of Bordoloi’s many significant contributions to the nation.
Sarma quoted Bordoloi from an interview in which he asserted, “Jinnah could hope to get the moon of the sky, but he couldn’t hope to put Assam in Pakistan.” Sarma emphasized Bordoloi’s steadfast opposition to the Cabinet Mission’s grouping proposal in 1946, despite facing opposition from other leaders.
Who Was Gopinath Bordoloi?
Gopinath Bordoloi was a distinguished politician and Indian independence activist who served as Assam’s first Chief Minister from 1946 to 1950. He chaired the North-East Frontier Tribal Areas and Assam Excluded and Partially Excluded Areas Sub-Committee and was a staunch believer in Gandhi’s principle of non-violence.
For his dedication to Assam, then-Governor Jayram Das Doulatram honored him with the title “Lokpriya” (loved by all). In 1999, Bordoloi was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, alongside Mother Teresa, acknowledging his crucial role in keeping Assam part of India during partition.
A lawyer, tennis player, and active supporter of various initiatives, Bordoloi rose within the Congress Party in Assam from the late 1920s until his death in 1950. He faced significant challenges from Sir Syed Mohammed Saadulla of the Muslim League, succeeding him in 1939. Though Bordoloi’s initial government lasted only a year due to the Congress’ anti-war stance, he later regained power with support from leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose and Vallabhbhai Patel.
Bordoloi fought tirelessly against the pro-British Saadulla’s policies, notably opposing the 1941 Land Settlement Policy that encouraged immigrants from East Bengal to settle in Assam. Backed by Mahatma Gandhi, Bordoloi’s opposition, even against the views of Nehru and Patel, prevented Assam from becoming part of East Pakistan, ultimately leading to the collapse of the Cabinet Mission plan.
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