Independence Day: How Gopinath Bordoloi saved Assam from a partitioned fate

India’s 78th Independence Day serves as a moment to reflect on the tremendous sacrifices of freedom fighters who dreamed of a unified nation. Among these vital yet frequently overlooked figures is Gopinath Bordoloi. His unyielding resolve was crucial in ensuring Assam remained an integral part of India, successfully averting its potential merger with East Pakistan.

Assam’s identity at stake

Assam’s place within the Indian Union was profoundly shaped by its unique cultural and linguistic identity. Unlike the Bengali-majority region of East Bengal, Assam was a land of Assamese speakers, steeped in a rich cultural heritage that distinguished it from its neighbours. This cultural distinctiveness made Assam an unlikely candidate for inclusion in East Pakistan, a state envisioned primarily as a homeland for Muslims in Bengal.

Historically, British administrative divisions further emphasised Assam’s separation from Bengal reinforcing its distinct status. This deep-rooted identity played a critical role in shaping Assam’s borders during partition ensuring that it remained part of independent India.

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However, Assam’s future wasn’t secured by cultural identity alone. During the partition, the region faced a grave threat from within and there was misery in support from its own national leaders. On May 16, 1946, the Cabinet Mission recommended that Assam and Bengal be grouped together to frame provisional constitutions for their provinces.

Based on a February 1946 note on the viability of Pakistan by Pethic Lawrence, the then secretary of state for India, where he mentioned that Assam should be part of East Pakistan citing economic, defence and financial considerations, the Cabinet Mission in May 1946 decided to go with it and recommended the same. It was obvious that a compromise had occured with the Muslim League on the inclusion of Assam, a Hindu majority province, in Pakistan.

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However, despite little support from the central Congress leadership, including Jawaharlal Nehru, who considered merging Assam with Pakistan to placate the Muslim League, the Assam Congress was determined to prevent it. Bordoloi and his colleagues in Assam Congress figured out the British designs to keep their commercial interests intact at the cost of the Assamese people and their land.

Significantly, the Cabinet Mission recommendation to include Assam in East Pakistan came despite staunch objections by Bordoloi and Assam Congress.

Bordoloi’s leadership and advocacy

Championing Assam’s cultural identity: Bordoloi was a staunch advocate for Assam’s cultural and linguistic uniqueness. He argued fervently that Assam’s distinct identity made it incompatible with the Bengali-majority East Pakistan. His passionate defence of Assam’s unique identity was crucial in securing the region’s place within India.

Strategic political manoeuvering: Bordoloi’s influence extended far beyond advocacy. He was deeply involved in political negotiations and lobbying. His deft handling of political manoeuvres, both with Congress leaders and British officials, played a critical role in ensuring Assam’s status within India. His deep understanding of the political landscape allowed him to effectively argue against Assam’s inclusion in East Pakistan.

Handling the Sylhet Referendum: The Sylhet district’s vote to join Pakistan was a significant challenge, yet Bordoloi’s strategic interventions mitigated its impact on the rest of Assam. His political acumen ensured that Assam’s broader status as part of India remained unthreatened.

Demographic gambit

The Muslim League had long aimed to absorb Assam into East Bengal, a strategy that gained momentum in the 1930s with a concerted effort to encourage Muslim migration from Bengal into Assam. This demographic shift was intended to tip the scales in favour of the League’s ambitions.

Leading this charge was Syed Saadullah, the Muslim League leader in the Assam Assembly, who pushed for solidifying Muslim influence in Assam. He even suggested that Assam could be attached to Bengal, arguing that their connection was such that separating Assam from Bengal would be impossible. The Assam Congress understood that if Assam remained attached to Bengal, it would face an existential crisis and risk being completely consumed.

Yet, Bordoloi stood as an unyielding barrier to these plans. During his tenure as Assam’s Prime Minister in 1938, Bordoloi made courageous decisions that often put him at odds with the central leadership, ultimately leading to his resignation under mounting pressure. The role of Prime Minister of Assam ended with the Partition of India in 1947, and the position of Chief Minister took its place.

Mahatma Gandhi’s endorsement

Mahatma Gandhi’s backing was a game-changer for Bordoloi’s mission to protect Assam’s identity and ensure it remained part of India. Gandhi’s support validated Bordoloi’s concerns, asserting that ongoing immigration warranted peaceful protests by the indigenous people. This endorsement gave Bordoloi’s efforts a major boost. While Bordoloi’s political savvy was crucial in keeping Assam out of Pakistan, it was Gandhi’s endorsement—combined with Bordoloi’s strategic brilliance—that was instrumental in safeguarding Assam’s future during the chaotic partition era.

Threat from the ‘Grouping Plan’

Bordoloi’s relationship with the Congress Working Committee (CWC) was marked by deep conflict. His staunch defence of the Assam Assembly’s resolution against the ‘Grouping Plan’ was a critical stand for the state’s interests.

The ‘Grouping Plan’ referred to a proposal made by the Cabinet Mission in 1946, which was sent to India by the British government to discuss the transfer of power and the future political structure of India. The plan was part of the broader Cabinet Mission Plan aimed at addressing the political deadlock between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, particularly over the issue of the creation of Pakistan.

The plan proposed the creation of three groups of provinces within a united India:

Group A: Hindu-majority provinces like Madras, Bombay, Bihar, Central Provinces and the United Provinces.
Group B: Muslim-majority provinces in the northwest, including Punjab, North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), Sind and Baluchistan.
Group C: A combination of the Muslim-majority province of Bengal and the Hindu-majority province of Assam.

Assam, which was a Hindu-majority province, was grouped with Bengal in Group C, despite the cultural and linguistic differences between the Assamese and Bengali populations. This inclusion of Assam in a group with a Muslim-majority province was seen as a potential threat to its cultural identity and territorial integrity leading to strong opposition from Assamese leaders like Bordoloi.

The strong opposition from leaders like Bordoloi played a crucial role in ensuring that Assam remained part of India rather than being grouped with Bengal, which could have led to its inclusion in Pakistan.

However, Prime Minister Nehru was openly critical of Bordoloi’s firm position, warning that Assam’s inflexibility could jeopardise the nation’s unity. Bordoloi, undeterred, argued that Assam’s stance was clear and that Nehru’s criticisms only muddled public understanding. In the face of apparent indifference from the central leadership to Assam’s concerns, Bordoloi’s relentless advocacy was key in ensuring that the state remained firmly within India’s fold.

Legacy of Gopinath Bordoloi

Bordoloi’s legacy stands as a powerful symbol of his relentless commitment to preserving Assam. His leadership not only charted the political course for Assam but also protected its rich cultural heritage. Bordoloi’s efforts were instrumental in ensuring Assam remained a key part of India. Assam’s avoidance of inclusion in East Pakistan was shaped by a blend of cultural, political and strategic elements with Bordoloi’s decisive leadership at the core. His advocacy, strategic negotiations and unwavering dedication to preserving Assam’s identity were crucial in securing the region’s place within India and maintaining its unique heritage.