BJP’s plan to celebrate Bihar Diwas in an Assam town faces obstacles.

In a surprising turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s initiative to celebrate Bihar Diwas in an Assamese town has encountered significant resistance. Bihar Diwas, an annual celebration marking the formation of the Indian state of Bihar, typically involves cultural events, discussions, and public gatherings to honor the rich heritage of the state. However, what was meant to be a celebration of Bihari culture has run into local opposition, highlighting the complex political and cultural dynamics in the region.

The BJP’s Vision for Bihar Diwas

The BJP, a dominant political force in both Assam and at the national level, has frequently used cultural events to engage with diverse communities and forge political connections across India. With a significant number of Bihari migrants and their descendants living in Assam, the party decided to hold a celebration of Bihar Diwas in the town of Dibrugarh, located in the northeastern part of the state. The event was intended to foster a sense of community among the Bihari population and highlight the contributions of Biharis to the development of Assam and the country.

Bihar Diwas was first established by the Bihar government in 2010 to celebrate the state’s history, culture, and its global diaspora. It aims to honor the contributions of Biharis across the world, including those who have migrated to other parts of India, including Assam. Given that Assam has a sizable Bihari population, many of whom have made significant contributions to local industries such as tea plantations, the BJP’s initiative was expected to attract considerable attention and participation.

Local Opposition

However, the plans quickly hit a roadblock when local political groups and activists in Dibrugarh began to voice strong opposition to the event. While some supported the celebration of Bihar Diwas, others raised concerns about the political motives behind the event, suspecting it to be a BJP attempt to further consolidate votes from the Bihari community in the state. The opposition parties accused the BJP of using cultural celebrations as a tool for electoral gains in the region, where the party faces a growing challenge from regional players such as the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF).

The most vocal criticism came from organizations representing indigenous Assamese communities, who felt that the celebration of Bihar Diwas was an attempt to promote the interests of a particular ethnic group at the cost of the local culture. These groups argued that Assam’s rich heritage should be the focus of such cultural events and that celebrations centered around an outside state like Bihar could create a sense of division, rather than unity.

A prominent leader from the indigenous community stated, “While we respect the contribution of Biharis to Assam’s economy, we must also safeguard our own culture and traditions. Holding such celebrations under BJP’s banner raises concerns about the party’s agenda to secure support from migrants at the expense of the Assamese people.”

The criticism also stems from the ongoing debate about migration and the protection of indigenous rights in Assam. The state’s complex demographic composition, particularly in the Brahmaputra Valley, has long been a subject of tension between native Assamese communities and migrants from other parts of India, including Bihar, West Bengal, and Bangladesh.

Political Fallout

The controversy surrounding the event has not only drawn attention to the intricacies of Assamese politics but also to the BJP’s handling of its relationships with regional identities. The party, which has faced challenges in balancing national policies with regional sentiments, is now caught between appeasing its Bihari base and addressing the concerns of indigenous Assamese groups.

For the BJP, the event represents a delicate balancing act. On one hand, the party has strong ties with the Bihari community, especially since Bihar is a major contributor to India’s migrant labor force. The Bihari diaspora in Assam, particularly in sectors like tea plantations, railways, and construction, has been a significant vote bank for the party in the past. On the other hand, the BJP must contend with growing discontent among local groups who feel that their culture and identity are under threat from the increasing influence of migrants.

The BJP’s Assam unit, while enthusiastic about hosting Bihar Diwas, has been forced to rethink its strategy in the wake of local protests. Party leaders in the region have attempted to calm tensions by assuring that the event would celebrate the contribution of all communities to Assam’s development, rather than focusing solely on the Bihari diaspora. However, the damage to the event’s reputation has already been done, and it remains uncertain whether the planned celebration will go ahead as originally intended.

Wider Implications for Assam

The unfolding situation in Dibrugarh raises important questions about how cultural celebrations intersect with politics in regions with diverse populations. Assam, a state marked by a complex mosaic of ethnic and linguistic communities, continues to grapple with issues of identity, migration, and political representation. The protests against the BJP’s Bihar Diwas celebration reflect broader anxieties about cultural assimilation, indigenous rights, and the growing influence of external political forces.

This episode also highlights the challenges faced by the BJP as it attempts to navigate the delicate politics of regionalism and nationalism. In a state like Assam, where regional parties have historically held sway, the BJP’s reliance on external cultural events to garner support from migrant communities could backfire if not handled sensitively. The situation in Dibrugarh serves as a reminder that political parties must be mindful of local dynamics when engaging with issues of migration, ethnicity, and cultural identity.

Conclusion

As the controversy over the Bihar Diwas celebration in Dibrugarh continues to unfold, it serves as a microcosm of the larger cultural and political struggles facing Assam today. The BJP’s plan to celebrate the event has run into significant turbulence, not only due to political opposition but also because of deeper concerns about the state’s demographic and cultural integrity. Whether or not the event goes ahead, the episode underscores the complexities of managing India’s diverse social fabric and the challenges political parties face in addressing the aspirations of both local and migrant communities.