Amit Shah Launches Birth Centenary Celebrations of First Non-Congress Chief Minister Golap Borbora in Assam
As the state observes Borbora’s centenary, the commemorations are set to underline his contribution to Assam’s political history and his enduring influence on governance.
Guwahati: Union home minister Amit Shah here on Friday hailed Golap Borbora as a visionary socialist leader, freedom fighter and chief minister of Assam, while launching his year-long birth centenary celebrations in Assam.
Describing Borbora as Assam’s first non-Congress Chief Minister who worked for the welfare of the masses, Shah lauded his brief yet impactful tenure that saw the establishment of several key institutions. The union home minister also unveiled a book on Borbora’s life at the event.
Political leaders across party lines paid tribute ahead of the event. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Borbora was “a leader whose life was a testament to courage, simplicity and dedication to Assam's people,” adding that his ideals “remain everlasting and an inspiration to all of us in public life.”
Borbora was Assam Chief Minister from 1978 to 1979. He was also Rajya Sabha member from 1968 to 1974 and was a follower of Ram Manohar Lohia and Jai Prakash Narayan. Borbora led several protest movements and was jailed. During the Emergency, he was jailed for 19 months.
Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal recalled Borbora’s defiance during the Emergency, noting that “he raised a strong and fearless voice against the emergency imposed by the Congress, and stood firmly against corruption and dynastic politics.”
Family members of Barbora joined the remembrance. Pankaj Borbora, the late leader’s son and a BJP spokesperson, said, “We are thankful that the state government has taken this initiative. The ideologies that our father stood for are reflected in the work of the present government also.”
He also recounted his father’s imprisonment during the Emergency and his push for electoral reforms that first brought the illegal immigration issue into focus.
As the state observes Borbora’s centenary, the commemorations are set to underline his contribution to Assam’s political history and his enduring influence on governance.
Earlier in the day, Shah inaugurated the Brahmaputra wing of Raj Bhavan and virtually launched the National Cyber Forensic Laboratory in Golaghat, aimed at enhancing cyber security across the Northeast. He also laid foundation stones for multiple armed forces development projects and addressed a Panchayat Sanmilan attended by around 20,000 representatives from the BJP and NDA partners.
Highlighting the Centre’s focus on a forensic-based justice system, Shah emphasized the importance of cyber security in safeguarding citizens’ earnings and national interests. He also noted that three new laws have replaced colonial-era codes to modernise and humanise India’s criminal justice system.