AASU Targets BJP Over ‘Forced Participation’ of Students in Jan Ashirwad Yatra

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has demanded an investigation into allegations that students of Sati Sadhani University were pressured to participate in the Jan Ashirwad Yatra, a political programme organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

AASU president Utpal Sarma alleged that students were threatened with being marked absent for three days if they did not line up and attend the yatra programme of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia.

“The Jan Ashirwad Yatra is a political programme of the BJP. No one can force students to participate in the programme of a political party. Allegations have surfaced that students of Sati Sadhani University were threatened with being marked absent for three days if they did not remain present in line during the Chief Minister and BJP president’s yatra. Screenshots related to the matter have gone viral and the issue has already been reported in the media. We demand an investigation into this incident,” Sarma said.

He further alleged that some teachers were exerting psychological pressure on students in an attempt to get into the “good books” of the ruling party.

“Action must be taken against such ‘pseudo-saints’ who, wearing the mask of teachers, exert mental pressure on students merely to enter the good books of the BJP,” he said.

Sarma added that people do not expect individuals entrusted with administrative responsibilities in educational institutions and engaged in the noble profession of teaching to be driven by political ideology.

“This is a form of academic injustice. However, under the present government, some individuals, in their interest of pleasing those in power, are trying to turn educational institutions into political laboratories. Students are being treated like guinea pigs, and the government is providing full patronage to such practices,” he alleged.

Citing what he termed as a “tainted example”, Sarma referred to the principal of Pragjyotish College, claiming that the individual had joined the BJP in January but continued to serve as the college principal even in March.

“At a time when the principal of Bhawanipur College was suspended by this government for participating in democratic protests during the delimitation process, it is shocking that a political party worker can continue to sit in the principal’s chair even after wearing the party cap and scarf at the BJP headquarters, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan,” Sarma said.

Calling it a clear example of “double standards”, the AASU president said the government had turned a blind eye to the issue.

“If even the last trace of morality and sense of shame remains, the principal concerned should resign from the post on his own,” he said.

Sarma also reiterated his demand that no diktats should be issued to compel students to participate in the programmes of political parties.

BJP Claims Massive Public Support for Yatra

Meanwhile, the BJP stated that the seventh day of the Jan Ashirwad Yatra witnessed “mammoth and unprecedented warmth” from citizens across all walks of life.

According to a press statement issued from Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan, BJP spokesperson Pranjal Kalita said the day’s programme began in the Margherita constituency, popularly known as the “city of black diamonds”, and concluded in Makum, after passing through the historic oil town of Digboi.

The overwhelming enthusiasm and unprecedented participation of the people, the party said, infused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with renewed energy and determination to continue working for the development and progress of Assam. Throughout the yatra, Assam BJP president and Member of Parliament Dilip Saikia accompanied the Chief Minister and provided leadership support.

Kalita said that in the run-up to the elections, people from all sections of society had enthusiastically joined the yatra, thereby strengthening the BJP and placing the opposition on the defensive.

Over the preceding seven days, the Chief Minister travelled more than 800 kilometres, reaching out directly to people across more than 25 constituencies. During the journey, he was reportedly greeted with immense affection and emotional warmth by the public.

According to the party statement, mothers embraced him like their son, elders welcomed him as a brother, younger citizens regarded him as their elder sibling, and schoolchildren affectionately addressed him as their “mama,” offering encouragement and blessings for his efforts towards Assam’s development.

The yatra also witnessed several emotional moments. Some individuals reportedly stepped away from wedding ceremonies to seek the Chief Minister’s blessings, while others expressed gratitude for becoming self-reliant through financial assistance received under the Chief Minister’s Udyamita Abhiyan. Many citizens thanked the government for transparent recruitment processes, while others held his hands and recited hymns from the Naam-Ghosa, praying for his well-being and success.

The party said the political development drew the attention of leaders from both the ruling and opposition camps. From Upper Assam to Lower Assam and from the Barak Valley to the Brahmaputra Valley, public discourse was dominated by discussions surrounding the Jan Ashirwad Yatra.

The BJP also claimed that opposition parties in Assam were struggling to present a united front due to internal conflicts over seat-sharing arrangements ahead of the elections.

The statement further referred to remarks made by Lurinjyoti Gogoi, president of the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), who had termed the yatra a “curse yatra”. According to the BJP, the massive participation of people in the yatra had disproved such criticism and strengthened the morale of party workers.

Sixth Day Highlights of the Yatra

On the sixth day of the Jan Ashirwad Yatra, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma received what the party described as overwhelming support from the people in the Sarupathar, Golaghat, Khumtai, and Dergaon Assembly constituencies.

The Chief Minister began the day’s programme by offering prayers at the Sri Sri Shiva Temple in the villages of Hajari and Jaljori in Sarupathar. Throughout the journey, large numbers of people greeted him warmly, presenting him with traditional Assamese gamosas, portraits, and welcoming him with showers of flowers.

Men, women, youth and people from different sections of society participated in the programme from morning till night.

Constituencies Covered So Far

The Jan Ashirwad Yatra, which began on February 28, has so far covered the following Assembly constituencies:

Borsala, Dhekiajuli, Tezpur, Naduar, Rangapara, Jagiroad, Morigaon, Raha, Nagaon, Bardhamanpur, Gohpur, Bihpuria, Ranganadi, Naobaicha, Dhemaji, Sissiborgaon, Jonai, Khowang, Mahmora, Tingkhong, Naharkatia and Duliajan.

Also Read: Assam: BJP Workers Urge Party Chief to Deny Ticket to Digboi MLA Suren Phukan Ahead of 2026 Polls