AJP leader Lurinjyoti Gogoi warns BJP against imposing Bihar-UP culture on Assam

Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) President Lurinjyoti Gogoi has strongly criticized the BJP-led Assam government for promoting the culture of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in the state. 

His remarks came in response to the BJP’s initiative to celebrate Bihar Diwas in Tinsukia, a move that has sparked widespread reactions across Assam.

Speaking to the media in Dibrugarh, Gogoi alleged that ever since the BJP came to power, it has been actively trying to spread the language and traditions of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in Assam. 

He accused the BJP-RSS of implementing their ideological agenda of ‘One Nation, One Language, One Religion,’ which he believes is aimed at replacing Assamese identity with Hindi-dominated culture.

Gogoi further stated that Assam, under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s leadership, has started witnessing a form of politics influenced by the violence and lawlessness often associated with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. 

However, he clarified that Assamese people do not harbor any animosity toward the languages or cultures of other states. Instead, they have always maintained a brotherly relationship with them. “Respecting another language and culture does not mean we should compromise our own identity,” he asserted.

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Highlighting the decline of Assamese speakers over the years, Gogoi pointed to census reports that show a 5% decrease in Assamese speakers every decade. He stressed that, in such a scenario, the government should focus on encouraging non-Assamese residents in the state to adopt and respect the Assamese language and traditions. Instead, the BJP government’s emphasis on promoting the cultures of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh could further erode Assamese identity, he warned.

Calling the celebration of Bihar Diwas in Assam an example of BJP’s "expansionist mindset," Gogoi reminded the people that the party came to power in the state by promising to protect Assam’s land, people, and culture. 

“The people of Assam did not vote for BJP to promote Bihar’s culture here. They voted for the protection and development of Assamese identity,” he stated. He urged the government to focus on preserving and strengthening Assamese culture instead of imposing external traditions on the state.

The controversy surrounding the celebration of Bihar Diwas in Assam continues to intensify, with political parties and organizations expressing strong opposition. With elections approaching, this issue is expected to remain a key political flashpoint in the coming months.