Protestors in Silchar Sing ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ To Defy CM’s ‘Anti-National’ Remark

A protest was organised by several NGOs, intellectuals and cultural groups in Silchar on Thursday evening (November 6) at the pedestal of the statue of Martyr Khudiram Bose. The protest came in response to the ongoing controversy after BJP leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, termed the singing of Amar Sonar Bangla by a Congress leader as “anti-national.” The song, written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1905 and later adopted as the national anthem of Bangladesh, holds deep emotional and cultural significance among Bengalis in the Barak Valley, the protestors demanded.

During the protest, speakers strongly criticised the remarks made by BJP leaders and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Addressing the media, social activist Ajay Rai said, “The Chief Minister’s order to file an FIR against a senior leader for singing Amar Sonar Bangla is unacceptable and saddening. A few days ago, when Karimganj’s name was being changed, the CM himself said that the new name was given by Rabindranath Tagore. If that was to honour Tagore, then why is singing his song now being called anti-national?” He accused the Chief Minister of spreading divisive politics ahead of the upcoming elections and demanded an apology, saying the government had failed to bring real development to the state.

Former Vice Chancellor of Assam University, Tapadhir Bhattacharjee, also expressed his disappointment over the issue. “After a lifetime devoted to education and culture, I never imagined a day would come when singing a Rabindrasangeet would be seen as sedition. Such a situation can only exist where constitutional values are ignored,” he said. Bhatt added that insulting the Bengali language, which is recognised by the Indian Constitution, means disrespecting the Constitution itself. He urged people to sing Amar Sonar Bangla proudly as a tribute to Tagore and the shared cultural identity of Bengalis.

The controversy began after an event organised by the Seva Dal of the Indian National Congress, Karimganj (Sribhumi) District Committee, on October 27. During the programme, Congress leader Bidhu Bhushan Das sang two lines of Amar Sonar Bangla during his address. Following this, BJP leaders criticised the act, calling it anti-national. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said cases could be filed against all Congress members present. His statement quickly sparked outrage across the Valley, where many consider the song a part of their heritage and not a symbol of another nation.

At the end of the protest, all participants sang Amar Sonar Bangla together in unison to express unity, cultural pride, and respect for Rabindranath Tagore. They said their action was not political but a gesture to defend Bengali culture and the dignity of India’s diverse linguistic heritage.