Guwahati, 19th September: Assam Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has called on the state government to rename the Silchar Railway Station to honor the eleven language martyrs, known as the Bhasha Sahids, who lost their lives during the 1961 Language Movement in Barak Valley. Gogoi believes that this renaming would serve as a fitting tribute to their significant contributions to the region’s linguistic heritage.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gogoi emphasized the importance of recognizing the legacy of these martyrs through the renaming of the railway station. Despite his appeal, a recent response from the Union Government revealed that the BJP-led Assam government has yet to submit a formal proposal for this change.
According to a letter from Niraj Sahay, Principal Chief Commercial Manager of the Northeast Frontier Railway, dated September 3, 2024, any change in the name of a railway station requires a formal recommendation from the state government, which must then be approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Sahay’s communication, a response to Gogoi’s earlier request, highlighted the procedural steps necessary for such a renaming.
Gogoi has now urged the Assam government to promptly act by submitting the required proposal, thus fulfilling the long-standing demand of the Barak Valley community to honor the language martyrs in a manner that reflects their historical significance.
Read More: Nagaland Congress Responds to K. Therie’s Criticism of PAC Resolution