How can language martyrs born in undivided India before Independence be called Bangladeshis?

The Barak Democratic Front (BDF) has demanded that the government immediately proceed with the renaming of Silchar Railway Station as “Bhasha Shahid Station.”

Recently, Mr. Muktashwar Kemprai, President of an organization called Dimasa Writers’ Forum, while addressing the President of Asam Sahitya Sabha, opposed the naming of Silchar Railway Station as “Bhasha Shahid Station” and referred to the language martyrs as Bangladeshis and outsiders. This statement has created widespread outrage across the Barak Valley. The Barak Democratic Front (BDF) has strongly condemned his remarks.

At a press conference held at the BDF office, Chief Convener Pradip Dutta Roy stated that under the pretext of D-notice, Detention, NRC, Delimitation and Assembly seat cuts, Barak Valley has been consistently neglected — and now, an insult to the language martyrs has been added to that list. He said that both Dispur and certain local agents are clearly involved in this act.

Pradip Dutta Roy further stated that those who were martyred in 1961 were, on average, around 25 years old — which clearly means they were born before India’s Independence. At that time, India was undivided, and Bangladesh did not even exist. Hence, calling them Bangladeshis only shows the speaker’s ignorance of history.
He reminded that before 1874, the Barak region was part of the Bengal Presidency, and Bengalis have been living in this area long before the arrival of the Dimasa people. Therefore, there is no need to take such comments from fringe organizations seriously.

He added that the Dimasa and Bengali communities have long shared cordial relations. He maintains regular communication with leaders from Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong, who have assured him that if Barak becomes a separate state, they will remain part of Greater Barak.
He said that the Dimasa leadership had already clarified that they have no objection to the renaming as Bhasha Shahid Station. However, after Asam Sahitya Sabha began taking initiative, a few groups have been used to manufacture opposition and delay the process.
He appreciated MPs Parimal Suklabaidya, MLAs Dipayan Chakraborty and Kaushik Rai for their support and urged other representatives to also raise their voices for Barak’s interests.

BDF Media Cell Convenor Joydeep Bhattacharjee stated that during his recent visit to Barak Valley, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma mentioned that the government had already sent an NOC to the Centre regarding the renaming, but some groups had also given alternative proposals.
Joydeep pointed out that in 2017, the Union Home and Rail Ministries had already approved the proposal and instructed the State Government to notify it officially through a Gazette Notification. Hence, the CM’s recent statement has created unnecessary confusion.
He noted that till 2017, no organization or individual had ever objected, and only when the matter progresses, certain groups suddenly come up with new proposals — a clear sign of a planned conspiracy.

Since both the Central and State governments are led by the BJP, he said, the renaming could be completed immediately if the government so wishes.
He urged the government to finalize the renaming without further delay.
He also appealed to the conscious citizens of the Dimasa community to speak up against those trying to disrupt the long-standing harmony between Dimasa and Bengali communities — only then will this controversy subside.

Among others present at the press meet were Haradhan Dutta and Sajal Deb Roy.

The information was released through a press note by Hrishikesh Dey, Convener of BDF.

(This story has not been edited by News Mania staff and is published from a Media Release)