Kokrajhar, Feb. 14: The All Koch Rajbongshi Students Union (AKRSU) today demanded that educational institutions should remain open on the occasion of Bir Chilarai Divas and the students should be taught about the legacy of Bir Chilarai in class.

Speaking during the 504th Bir Chilarai Divas at Choraikhola ME School playground in Kokrajhar today, AKRSU president Hiteshwar Barman said, “School and colleges should remain open on Bir Chilarai Divas and students should be taught the legacy of Bir Chilarai in class.” He demanded the inclusion of a chapter on Bir Chilarai in the school syllabus so that the younger generation knows about the Koch hero.

The AKRSU president slammed the Central and state government of neglecting the causes of the Koch Rajbongshis and warned of vigorous democratic protests if the government failed to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the community by February last.

The union also criticised the government for not inviting the organisation for the third round of tripartite talks. Barman said although the government invited other organisations for talks, the Koch Rajbongshis were left out and deprived because of the lackadaisical attitude of the Congress government.

Barman said the government has been betraying the community for very long. “If the ruling government once again betrays the community then they (Congress) will get the result in the next Lok Sabha polls,” he warned.

The student leader also came down heavily upon the Congress and chief minister Tarun Gogoi saying, “The Congress only concentrates on Upper Assam and are not concerned in solving the problems of the people residing in lower Assam.” He criticised the Tarun Gogoi led Congress government for neglecting the Koch Rajbongshi community living in lower Assam.

“The Congress and chief minister Tarun Gogoi are not serious about solving the issues of the Koch Rajbongshis. The ruling government is playing politics depriving the genuine demands and birth right of the Koch Rajbongshis.”

The Biswajit Ray faction of AKRSU also observed Bir Chilarai Divas at Bijni in Chirang district with various daylong programmes.

Bir Chilarai Divas was also celebrated in Gauripur of Dhubri district by the Gauripur Anchalik All Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union.