Local people of Batadrava questioned Gaurav Gogoi and the Congress on their commitment to protecting Satra land and its identity
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi faced strong protests during his visit to Batadrava Than—the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva—on Friday, as local residents raised slogans opposing his presence.
Gogoi, who arrived at the sacred site as part of the Congress party’s ongoing Parivartan Yatra, was met by demonstrators chanting “Gaurav Gogoi Go Back” and “Pakistani Agent Go Back,” overpowering the slogans raised by the Congress delegation.
A large group of local people gathered near the premises, expressing their dissatisfaction with the Congress leadership and questioning the party’s commitment to protecting Satra land and preserving Assam’s cultural identity.
Protesters challenged Gogoi’s political record, asking who had truly safeguarded “jati, mati, aru bheti” (race, soil, and land), and credited the BJP government led by Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma for taking steps to protect Batadrava Than from alleged encroachment by illegal Bangladeshi migrants.
They also questioned why the Congress, despite being in power in Assam for nearly 15 years, failed to take effective measures to prevent encroachment on Satras across the state.
The incident underscores the challenges facing the Congress party as it seeks to reconnect with the electorate through outreach programmes. Despite calls for political change, residents of Batadrava appeared to demand clearer accountability from the party on long-standing issues related to land rights, cultural heritage, and identity.
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