স্টেশনের নাম পরিবর্তন করে হোক ১৯ শ্রদ্ধা
Demand raised to pay tribute to language martyrs by renaming Silchar station

February 7: The declaration by Assam government during the presentation of state budget about erecting of a memorial in honour of the language martyrs of Barak Valley is a very welcome step. It’s indeed a matter of great pride to see the language martyrs of Barak valley getting due recognition from the state government. Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stated in his proposal that the construction work of the said memorial will be completed by the next financial year. This view was expressed by Dr. Rajib Kar, General Secretary of ‘Bhasa Shahid Station Shahid Smaran Samiti.’ in a press release issued on Thursday.

The press release further read: “We would extend our gratitude and at the same time congratulate the Assam Government for recognizing the contribution of the language martyrs in the blossoming of the pluralistic structure as upholded by the constitution of our country.” However, Dr. Kar put forward some points for the immediate attention of the Assam government:

Also Read: Demand to rename Silchar station raised vigorously

• In the year 2005, mass demand was raised to change the name of Silchar Railway Station to “Bhasha Shaheed Station, Silchar.” This demand was moved to preserve the self esteem of mother tongue in Barak Valley. However, this was later on transformed into a mass demand with the support of every linguistic community and political parties.

• Though the matter of renaming the railway station was pursued time and again yet the ‘vox-populi’ failed to get response from the government. Initially, prayers and petitions were made, which gradually transformed into constant agitation by the people of this valley. The people of this valley were hurt time and again by the indifference of the government. It was just on the eve of the last Assembly Election that the then Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi sent the recommendation of the state to the centre as regards renaming of the station. However, as the Model Code of Conduct was declared within a few days, the matter could not proceed any further.

• A new government was formed in Assam in 2016. Efforts were again made in this regard. Correspondence was made with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Finally, the committee was happy that the Home Ministry very soon (on 7^th November, 2016) issued an approval letter to the state government giving consent for changing the name of Silchar Railway Station to “Bhasha Shaheed Station, Silchar.” It was further stated in that letter that the Government of Assam should issue a notification about the spelling of the new name of the station in English, Hindi and Bengali and also send it to them.

Dr. Rajib Kar mentioned that they have got enough assurance from the government in this regard. But these assurances turned out to be broken promises. He also said that they are contemplating to meet the Chief Minister very soon. He is hopeful that the state government will adopt positive steps in this matter of renaming.

However, indirectly he did not rule out the matter that there may be a political angle to the entire issue of delay in renaming Silchar Railway Station. He was at a loss to fathom the reason of delay on the part of the state government inspite of getting clearance from the central government.

He also cited an example of renaming of stations in Uttar Pradesh. He wrote, “We know and have seen that even in the recent past, in Uttar Pradesh, the name of Mughalsarai Station was changed to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Station and that too within a very short time. This proves that if there is a keen desire, such renaming on the basis of popular demand can be done by the government very fast.”

‘Bhasa Shahid Station Shahid Smaran Samiti’ made a fervent appeal to the state Chief Minister to expedite the task of issuing the long cherished notification. The Samiti wrote, “What would be more befitting than to make this declaration by the state government on 21^st February, 2019, the day when people round the globe will be celebrating International Mother Tongue Day.”