The All Assam Students Union yesterday organized an invitational lecture to celebrate a 100 years of its existence as a students organisation in the state.
Dr. Amarjyoti Chaudhury and Nagen Saikia were the guests of honour on the occasion. Saikia, an eminent writer and former president of the Assam Sahitya Sabha, spoke about the history of the student's organisation and also reflected on how the youth of Assam, while studying in Kolkata, had come up with thoughts to work for the development of their community.
Lakshminath Bezbaruah, an Assamese litterateur, was the first president of the 'Asomiya Chatra Sanmilan' (as it was known then). Carrying the legacy forward, the AASU is still engaged in protecting the identity of the state and working for the economic development of the region, while at the same time, promoting relations with other students' organisations of the north east and ethnic groups.
The AASU has studiously avoided using shutdown calls as a medium of protest.
In 1960, there was a movement for protecting the Assamese Language, (The Language Movement), In 1972, there was a movement for establishing Assamese language as a medium of communication , followed by Economic Movement in 1974. After the Emergency (1975), there was an Assam Movement, and after the signing of the Assam Accord in the 1985, the AASU is focused on challenging the influx of foreigners whose presence has changed the demographic and security pattern of the state.
Dr. Samujjlal Bhattacharya, Advisor , AASU, said the government should respect the democratic movements done by students.
"Political leaders in the centre do not think that there is a part of India beyond Kolkata. Save Assam to save India is still the message of the All Assam Students Union," said Bhattacharya.
