Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a strong message on Monday, declaring the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) unwavering commitment to removing infiltrators from every part of India. He made these remarks while inaugurating the newly developed Batadrava Cultural Project in Assam's Nagaon district.
Batadrava Redevelopment: A Symbol of Resolve
Shah pointed to the redevelopment of the historic Batadrava Than, the birthplace of the revered Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardeva, as a prime example of the government's action against illegal encroachment. He questioned the past presence of alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators at this sacred site, linking it to a broader national issue.
"The BJP resolves to remove all infiltrators from the entire country. Was it right that Bangladeshi infiltrators were there at this place of Sankardeva?" Shah stated. He commended Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for clearing the encroachments and restoring the Namghar at the location.
Political Accusations and Land Reclamation
Launching a sharp attack on the Congress party, the Home Minister alleged that the previous governments treated infiltrators as a vote bank, compromising the state's security and cultural identity. "Congress treated infiltrators - who threatened the people, culture and identity of Assam, as its vote bank," he accused.
Shah highlighted the scale of the current administration's efforts, claiming that over one lakh bighas of land had been freed from encroachers. He criticized Congress regimes for failing to act on this front despite the sacrifices made during the historic Assam Movement.
In a significant appeal for the upcoming elections, Shah said, "Bless the 'Lotus' for another 5 years, and we will throw out every infiltrator from Assam."
Honouring Legacy and Promoting Harmony
The Union Minister also invoked the legacy of Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi, Assam's first Chief Minister. Shah credited Bordoloi with ensuring that Assam and the Northeast remained integral parts of India, stating he had to persuade Jawaharlal Nehru on the matter.
He described the revitalized Batadrava Than as a powerful symbol of Assamese unity and the inclusive 'nav-vaishnav dharma' preached by Sankardeva. The newly inaugurated Batadrava Cultural Project, developed on 162 bighas of cleared land at a cost of approximately ₹217 crore, aims to become a global spiritual and cultural tourism destination.
Echoing the Centre's stance, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma detailed the state's drive, noting that around 1.45 lakh bighas of government and Satra land had been freed from illegal occupation in the last decade. He urged remaining encroachers to vacate such lands voluntarily.
The project is envisioned not just as a tourism hub but as a beacon showcasing Assam's rich heritage and Sankardeva's timeless ideals of devotion, social equality, and communal harmony.
