Clashes Erupt During Congress ‘Parivartan Yatra’ in Assam’s Sonitpur District

GUWAHATI: Political tensions in Assam intensified on Saturday as the Congress party’s “Samay Parivartan – Mati Bachao, Jati Bachao” yatra witnessed clashes, protests and a sharp exchange of allegations between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress across Sonitpur district.

Clashes in Tezpur, Congress Leaders Injured

In Bihaguri under Tezpur, the Congress alleged that its ‘Parivartan Yatra’ convoy was blocked and attacked by BJP supporters, resulting in injuries to senior party leaders and workers.

Among those reportedly injured were Congress spokesperson Rupa Kalita, Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress General Secretary Trishna Bora Kakati, Sonitpur District Mahila Congress President Sampurna Saikia, and former MLA Praneswar Basumatary.

The party also alleged that obscene remarks were made against women leaders and accused BJP workers of attempting to outrage their modesty. The Congress further condemned what it described as attacks on journalists covering the event, calling it an assault on the “fourth pillar of democracy.”

The yatra is being led by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Gaurav Gogoi and includes senior leaders such as AICC General Secretary Jitendra Singh, election observer Bandhu Tirkey, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, MPs Pradyut Bordoloi and Rakibul Hussain, former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora, and several legislators and party officials.

Land Grabbing Allegations Trigger Protests in Dhekiajuli

The Congress yatra later reached Dhekiajuli, the home constituency of Minister Ashok Singhal, where protests erupted over allegations that Singhal’s wife attempted to transfer nearly 17 bighas of land belonging to a women’s association into her name.

Congress leaders including Gaurav Gogoi, Debabrata Saikia and All India Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba accused ruling party leaders and their families of land grabbing with alleged encouragement from the Chief Minister. Local residents questioned why an orphanage and an old-age home built on the land had been shut down.

BJP supporters staged counter-protests, raising slogans against the Congress, creating a charged atmosphere in the area.

Congress Claims Obstruction and Attack on Yatra

The ruling BJP government and the Chief Minister appear increasingly unsettled by the Congress yatra launched on February 5, the party claimed. On the third day of the yatra, a high-level Congress delegation led by Gaurav Gogoi entered Sonitpur district accompanied by hundreds of supporters in a specially designed vehicle.

The delegation included Jitendra Singh, Bandhu Tirkey, Alka Lamba, Debabrata Saikia, Pradyut Bordoloi, Rakibul Hussain, Mira Borthakur, Ripun Bora, Shivamani Bora and others.

According to the Congress, upon reaching Bihuguri under the Borsola constituency, the convoy was allegedly obstructed by ruling party-backed groups, and Congress workers and journalists were attacked. Several workers were injured and equipment belonging to a satellite news channel was reportedly damaged.

Despite the alleged obstruction, the yatra continued towards its destination.

Gaurav Gogoi Condemns Violence

Speaking to the media, Gaurav Gogoi condemned the incident, stating, “Political differences are natural. But taking the law into one’s own hands or physically attacking anyone is unacceptable.” He said he had conveyed the same message to Congress workers and expected similar conduct from other parties, warning that attacks on journalists would not be tolerated.

During the yatra, Gogoi symbolically purchased a basket and a broom from a roadside vendor, stating that the broom was to “clean Assam of corruption, loot and violence.”

The delegation later reached Dhekiajuli and paid tribute to the 1942 martyrs before marching to inspect the disputed land at Jangalbasti.

Congress Intensifies Allegations on Land Rights

Addressing protesters, Gogoi alleged that Chief Minister Sarma was amassing wealth through family members and facilitating similar acquisitions for ministers. He described the alleged land transfer as a conspiracy against indigenous Assamese people and promised restoration of land rights under a Congress-led government.

Debabrata Saikia alleged that attempts were made to transfer the women’s committee land through manipulative means after Singhal became a minister, and that women members were threatened during geo-tagging. He accused the BJP government of oppressing indigenous communities and cited other alleged cases of land acquisition.

Alka Lamba urged affected women not to fear, assuring Congress support, while Ripun Bora accused the ruling party of grabbing 10,000–12,000 bighas of land from poor people despite claims of protecting “jati, mati, bheti.”

Members of the women’s committee also addressed the gathering, thanking the Congress leadership and vowing to resist alleged land grabbing.

Charged Atmosphere and Torchlight Protests

Congress workers raised slogans against Minister Ashok Singhal and Chief Minister Sarma in front of a large hoarding of the minister. After the protest, the delegation offered prayers at Singri Mandir.

According to APCC sources, the yatra will continue with torchlight processions for the third consecutive night, as the party protests what it terms the BJP’s politics of hate.

Sharp Political Exchange in Mangaldai

Meanwhile, in Mangaldai, Assam Mahila Congress President Mira Borthakur launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Minister Ashok Singhal. She dismissed allegations of obscene gesture used by Congress leaders Bhupen Bora and Debabrata Saikia, calling the controversy a misrepresentation of a private conversation.

Borthakur accused the Chief Minister of previously making derogatory remarks about women and questioned his authority to criticise Congress leaders. She also mocked the state government, predicting that the Chief Minister’s upcoming political programme would be a “flop show,” and made sarcastic comments about the Congress party’s financial condition.

She further alleged discord within the Chief Minister’s family following Congress claims regarding his wife’s assets and described Minister Ashok Singhal as an unscrupulous businessman, calling his ministership a misfortune for the state. She warned that more revelations could follow.

Chief Minister’s Counter Allegations

Earlier today, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused Congress leader Bhupen Bora of making obscene gestures towards women from a vehicle during the Congress ‘Sankalp Yatra’. Terming the alleged act unacceptable and disrespectful, CM Sarma demanded accountability from the Congress leadership and called for Bora’s immediate expulsion from the party.

The controversy erupted after a video clip from the rally went viral, showing Borah making an inappropriate hand gesture while Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi addressed the crowd as part of the party’s ‘Parivartan Yatra’. 

In the clip, Borah can be seen chatting with Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia and party leader Mira Borthakur, who tried to stop him, but he continued the gesture. Saikia was seen smiling during the incident.

“This vulgar gesture towards a woman is unacceptable and shows a complete lack of respect. If the Congress truly stands for women’s dignity, they must expel Bhupen Borah immediately. Such behaviour has no place in politics, especially from a leader of his stature,” Sarma said while speaking to the media.

Sarma further criticised Borah for making the gesture in the presence of senior party leaders, including a woman, and remarked, “Such people dream of becoming ministers or even the Chief Minister, yet they make such a crude gesture in public.”

The Chief Minister also added that he has referred the matter to the state women’s commission for further action and will address the issue again during a press conference after the cabinet meeting. 

He also questioned the media for not showing the clip, though he acknowledged that it might have been missed unintentionally.

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