PM pays tribute to martyrs of Assam Agitation at memorial in Guwahati

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, December 21, 2025, paid tribute to the martyrs of the Assam Agitation, a movement against illegal immigrants, at the ‘Swahid Smarak Kshetra’ in Guwahati.

Prime Minister Modi paid tribute with flowers in front of a lamp that always remains lit in memory of the 860 martyrs of the six-year movement that ended in 1985.

The Prime Minister, who visited the monument during his approximately 20-minute visit, also visited the gallery where the busts of the martyrs are located.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Assam Accord Implementation Minister Atul Bora.

The memorial was inaugurated earlier this month, coinciding with the death anniversary of Khargeswar Talukdar, the first martyr of the Assam Agitation.

Talukdar died on 10 December 1979.

Mr. Bora told reporters that Prime Minister Modi received information about the martyrs and was informed by the Prime Minister.

“It is a memorable day for Assam. The Prime Minister paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the 6-year movement when the Congress was in power,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that he placed a wreath on Talukdar’s bust.

Mr. Bora, president of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), BJP’s ally in the state, said that the whole world will try to know more about the Assam Agitation after the Prime Minister’s visit.

“While visiting the gallery, the Prime Minister wanted to know detailed information about the martyrs. No Prime Minister has ever commemorated the martyrs of Assam Agitation in this way. We are grateful to Modi ji for this,” he said.

Built at a cost of ₹ 170 crore, the monument has facilities such as water bodies, auditorium, prayer hall, cycle track and arranging a sound and light show that will highlight different aspects of the Assam Agitation and the history of the State.

The agitation had culminated with the signing of the Assam Accord on 15 August 1985.

The issue of illegal migration is one of the most controversial issues in the political and social spheres of Assam. Many elections were held because of this single issue of Bangladeshi spies.