Shah to open road renamed after Brahma in Delhi tomorrow

Guwahati: A new road in the national capital will be named after Bodofa Upendranath Brahma, joining the ranks of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi and Manipuri freedom fighter Tikendrajit Singh.

Union home minister Amit Shah will unveil the road and a statue of Brahma, with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma in attendance on Thursday. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has decided to rename a portion of Lala Lajpat Rai Marg in South Delhi as Bodofa Upendranath Brahma Marg.

Brahma was an influential leader who advocated for the rights, identity and advancement of the Bodo community in Assam.

United People's Party Liberal president and Bodoland Territorial Council chief Pramod Boro said, "Bodofa (Father of the Bodo community) started a movement in March 1987 for the political rights for the uplift of the Bodo community, backward at that time, and for the protection of the language and the culture of the community. The Bodo community, while moving ahead on the path shown by Bodofa, received the historic peace accord in 2020, and the Bodo language also received recognition by the Constitution. The community has also progressed a lot as far as the culture of the community is concerned."

Boro, former president of All Bodo Students' Union (Absu), expressed pride in having a road in the national capital named after the Bodo community's leader.

The Bodo Peace Accord, signed on January 27, 2020, between the Indian government, Assam government, and various Bodo groups, including National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) factions, established lasting peace in the Bodoland region. The accord addresses the Bodo people's concerns regarding identity, land rights, and development. The 92nd Amendment Act of 2003 granted constitutional recognition to the Bodo language.

Absu has planned to illuminate 5 lakh earthen lamps or candles across the Bodoland Territorial Region, comprising Baksa, Udalguri, Tamulpur, Kokrajhar and Chirang districts.

The renamed 835-metre, 50-foot wide road near Kailash Colony Metro Station runs alongside the Bodoland Guest House. A statue of Bodofa will be unveiled at Kailash Colony roundabout during the ceremony, marking his 35th death anniversary.

Absu president Dipen Boro said, "Bodofa dedicated his life to building an inclusive society where people could live with dignity and secure their rightful place. His ideas continue to guide generations towards peaceful change and collective progress." He expressed his gratitude to PM Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma for realising this tribute.

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Marg in New Delhi, where Assam House is situated, honours Assam's premier from Feb 1946 to Jan 1950 and chief minister until August 1950.

Bir Tikendrajit Marg commemorates Tikendrajit Singh, who led the 1891 rebellion against British forces during the Anglo-Manipur War.