Abhijit Paul Blames ‘Lobby from Dispur’ for Trying to Divide Dimasas and Bengalis

Senior Congress leader from Cachar Abhijit Paul has filed an FIR against Mukteswar Kemprai, President of the Dimasa Writers’ Forum, for allegedly making “insulting and divisive” remarks against the Bengali community of Barak Valley and the Language Martyrs of 1961. The controversy erupted after a letter from the Dimasa Writers’ Forum, addressed to the President of Assam Sahitya Sabha, surfaced on social media, calling the 11 martyrs of the 1961 language movement “outsiders” and “Bangladeshis.”

The letter, dated 21 October 2025, stated that “outsiders from Bangladesh/Bangalis took movement for the Bangla language in Cachar, Assam” during the 1961 incident, when 11 protestors were shot dead by police at Silchar Railway Station. The document further questioned the ongoing demand to rename Silchar Railway Station as “Bhasha Shahid Station,” arguing that the land historically belonged to the Dimasa Kacharis and not to Bengali settlers. It instead proposed naming the station after Dimasa freedom fighter Sengyah Veer Sambhudhan Phonglosa.

Reacting sharply, the former Cachar District Congress President Abhijit Paul condemned the contents of the letter, calling it “deeply offensive and historically wrong.” He said, “The statement that the martyrs of 1961 were Bangladeshis makes no sense because Bangladesh did not even exist at that time. Such remarks insult the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the Bengali language.” Paul alleged that a “lobby from Dispur” was conspiring to create rifts between communities in Barak Valley. He claimed that the Dimasa Writers’ Forum’s actions were “politically motivated” and aimed at suppressing Bengali voices in the region.

Paul added that the FIR seeks Kemprai’s immediate arrest for spreading “hatred and misinformation.” He further criticised the Assam Government, accusing it of neglecting Barak Valley’s long-standing demand to rename Silchar Railway Station in honour of the Language Martyrs. “The Chief Minister himself said the proposal was forwarded to the Centre, yet he mentioned other suggestions were also sent. This seems like an excuse to delay and ignore our sentiments,” he said.

Congress leader Sanjib Rai also echoed similar sentiments, urging the government to take strict action. “For 20 years, we have demanded the renaming of Silchar Railway Station to Bhasha Shahid Station in honour of those who gave their lives so that every language could be respected. Now, if someone calls them Bangladeshis, it is a direct insult to the sacrifice of our martyrs and the 40 lakh people of Barak Valley. Such divisive forums should be banned, and the person behind these remarks must be arrested,” he said.

Senior Congress leader Simanta Bhattacharya called the Dimasa Writers’ Forum’s letter “a deliberate attempt to distort history.” He reiterated that there was no Bangladesh in 1961, making the claim “completely baseless.” Bhattacharya alleged that the controversy was part of a political ploy to divert attention from the real issue — the recognition of the 1961 Language Movement and the respect owed to those who died for the cause of Bengali language rights in Assam.

The debate over renaming Silchar Railway Station has been ongoing for decades. Supporters argue that the name “Bhasha Shahid Station” would be a fitting tribute to the 11 martyrs who laid down their lives on 19 May 1961 during a peaceful protest demanding the right to use Bengali as an official language in the Barak Valley. However, recent opposition from sections of Dimasa organisations has reignited tensions around ethnic and linguistic identity in the region.

It should be noted that relations between the Bengali and Dimasa communities have historically been harmonious. During their address to the press, the Congress leaders reiterated that this bond must remain intact, stressing that the recent controversy appears to be a deliberate ploy to destroy the long-standing unity and brotherhood between the two communities.