Barduar Township Row: Gaurav Gogoi Accuses BJP Govt of Tribal Land Grab

In the heart of Rabha Hasong, the simmering discontent over the proposed satellite township project at Barduar Bagan received political firepower on Thursday, as Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi visited the site and came out strongly against the BJP-led government’s move to transfer 1,500 acres of tribal land to the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA).

Speaking to hundreds of aggrieved locals, Gogoi described the land transfer as a blatant violation of indigenous rights and an assault on the identity of the Rabha Hasong community. “This land does not belong to Adani or Ambani. It is not a property to be gifted away to the Chief Minister’s relatives. This land belongs to the people who have toiled here for generations,” said Gogoi.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s recent announcement to allocate the vast land parcel for a satellite township has sparked massive outrage in the Palashbari region, especially among Rabha Hasong residents who fear large-scale displacement, cultural erosion, and a betrayal of constitutional protections. Even a recent meeting between Cabinet Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah and local leaders failed to quell public anger.

Despite official assurances, mistrust runs deep. The absence of any meaningful rehabilitation or consent process has only fueled suspicion. “No poor person willingly engages in conflict with the government. But if there’s no plan for rehabilitation, confrontation becomes inevitable,” said Gogoi.

Gogoi directly referenced the recent forceful evictions at Paikan, calling them “state-sponsored injustices.” He warned, “A government that thrives on demolishing the homes of the poor cannot expect peace in its own homes either.”

Issuing a firm call for resistance, the Congress leader urged the people to stay within the bounds of law but not bow down to state repression. “This government will provoke you. They will harass you. But don’t fall into that trap. Do not take the law into your hands—we will fight politically, legally, and democratically,” he said.

Gogoi didn’t hold back in his criticism of Chief Minister Sarma, stating that those who build their political careers on breaking the homes of the underprivileged will not rest easy once power slips from their hands. “Mark my words: when they lose power, they will face justice. The Chief Minister has committed crimes and he will go to jail for them,” he declared.

In a pointed comment on Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to Assam, Gogoi said, “Rahul Dangoriya came with Mallikarjun Kharge to listen—not just to Congress leaders, but to the people of Assam. Indigenous leaders from across the state, including Gobinda Rabha and Aditya Rabha of the Barduar Bagan Land Patta Demand Committee, were present. Due to time constraints they couldn’t present their issues in detail, so I was instructed by our national leadership to come here personally.”

Responding to statements by Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi, who accused Rahul Gandhi of indirectly helping the BJP, Gaurav Gogoi delivered a sharp rebuttal: “Today, he says one thing, tomorrow something else. We’re now seeing Akhil Gogoi 3.0—who knows what version comes next? He speaks of coalition one day, then retracts. Our stand is clear: we are in talks with everyone, but clarity must come from all sides.”

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