Assam Agitation Memorial Inaugurated, Modi Pays Homage

• By Thetripurapost Desk, Guwahati
• Dec 21, 2025
• 737

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 21 paid solemn homage to the martyrs of the historic Assam Agitation at the newly inaugurated Swahid Smarak Kshetra, reaffirming the enduring relevance of a movement that profoundly reshaped Assam’s political consciousness and social fabric.

The memorial stands as a tribute to 860 individuals who laid down their lives during the six-year-long anti-foreigners’ movement, which culminated in 1985. A perpetually burning flame at the site serves as a powerful symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and collective resolve.

Accompanied by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and senior government officials, the Prime Minister toured the martyrs’ gallery, where sculpted busts honour those who perished during the agitation. He also offered floral tributes to the statue of Khargeswar Talukdar, regarded as the first martyr of the movement, who was killed on December 10, 1979.

Officials noted that the memorial, constructed at an estimated cost of ₹170 crore, has been envisioned not merely as a site of remembrance but as a vibrant public space for reflection and engagement. The expansive complex features landscaped water bodies, an auditorium, a prayer hall, a cycle track, and state-of-the-art sound-and-light facilities designed to narrate the defining moments of the Assam Agitation and the broader historical journey of the state.

The Prime Minister’s visit underscored the Centre’s commitment to preserving and honouring the legacy of the Assam Agitation, a landmark chapter that continues to shape Assam’s identity and aspirations in contemporary India.