Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 21 paid homage to the martyrs of the Assam Agitation at the newly inaugurated Swahid Smarak Kshetra, reaffirming the enduring importance of a movement that fundamentally shaped Assam’s political and social identity. The visit underscored national recognition of the sacrifices made during the historic struggle that concluded with the Assam Accord in 1985.
The memorial honours 860 individuals who lost their lives during the six-year-long anti-foreigners’ movement. A perpetual lamp burns at the site, symbolising sacrifice, resilience and the collective memory of those who laid down their lives during one of the most defining phases of Assam’s modern history.
Accompanied by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and senior officials, the Prime Minister toured the martyrs’ gallery, where busts of those killed during the agitation have been installed. He also garlanded the statue of Khargeswar Talukdar, acknowledged as the first martyr of the movement, who was killed on December 10, 1979.
Officials said the Swahid Smarak Kshetra has been developed at a cost of ₹170 crore and envisioned as both a memorial space and a centre for public engagement. The expansive complex features landscaped water bodies, an auditorium, a prayer hall, a cycle track and dedicated facilities for a sound-and-light show designed to narrate the key phases of the Assam Agitation along with the broader historical journey of the state.
The Prime Minister’s visit highlighted the Centre’s emphasis on preserving and institutionalising the legacy of the Assam Agitation. The movement continues to hold deep emotional and political significance in the state, and the memorial is expected to serve as a lasting reminder of the sacrifices that shaped Assam’s contemporary identity.
