Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology Issn No : 1006-7930 Student Politics in Assam with Special Reference to All Assam Student’s Union : 1967-1985 Dr.Shirumoni Baruah Assistant Professor, Department of History, B. Borooah College, Ulubari, Guwahati-7 Abstract The students and youths of the North-east region have been highly impacted by the socio-political and economic condition of the area. In Assam a series of massive movements have been launched by the students. The AASU played a leading role in launching four important movements over economic issues. These were Oil Refinery movements in 1957 and 1969, movement on the issue of Food Crisis in 1966 and 1974. Besides, it launched three movements for protection of linguistic and cultural identity of the people of the state. These were Official Language Movement in 1960, Medium of Instruction Movement in 1972 and Assam Movement. Among these Assam Movement was the most powerful and popular Movement launched by the organization. In addition to general features of a powerful movement it demonstrated certain specific features. At present AASU protested against the influx of foreigners, establishment of big dams, solution of inter-state boundary dispute, sealing of Indo-Bangladesh border and so forth. But the activities of the AASU are not above criticism. It is said that the Official Language movement in 1960, Medium movement in 1972 and Assam Movement have become an important factor for the rise of separatist tendencies among the hills and as well as the plain tribes of Assam. Keywords : Politics of Assam, AASU, Problems of Assam, Identity Crisis. Introduction One of the important features of Indian political and social life in now a days in the presence of numerous organizations or pressure groups which are actively associated with burning issues of a particular area. Such type of organization represents a communication channel between the Government and community values or common subjects. AASU (All Assam Students Union) is one type of voluntary association of individuals who are bound together for the defence of common interest of Assam. AASU can be defined as an organized attempt to influence government policy decisions without directly joining in the election contest. AASU’S activities are always involved with government action. In the critical situation, strong voice has always been raised by the students against all the major anti-national activities. The student youths are considered to be a powerful force in a society. The students of North-east India have been launching massive movements on issues like cultural identity, economic backwardness and migration. Prior to the coming of the British, there were no student group or association in the region. Formal education began in the region with the advent of the British. At the initiatives of Christian Missionaries and the British administration, the people of Assam began to familiar with the modern education. The youths who had been exposed to modern education to some degree began to play an important role in the society. The newly educated youths began to establish numerous organizations related to the socio-economic and political interests of the people of Assam such as a Jorhat Sarvajanik Sabha, Assam Association, Assam Desh Hitaishini Sabha to protect the interests of the peasants and to fight against the evil administration of the British.1 Objectives of the Study Firstly, the work analyse the role of AASU in major movements of Assam which were launched to safeguard the economic interest and socio-cultural identity of the people of the state. The second objective is to examine how far the AASU is successful in maintaining its strength and solidarity in the present political scenario. Methodology For the work, content analysis had been mainly adopted. Primary sources like Smritigrantha of AASU, governmental documents and secondary sources such as books, journals, magazines etc were consulted in order to achieve the objective of the study. Volume XI, Issue XII, 2019 Page No: 1122 Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology Issn No : 1006-7930 The students have been playing a commendable role at the time of major crisis since the days of independence. The beginning of students involvement into freedom movement in Assam can be traced back to the formation of Assamese Literary Society in 1867.2 During pre-independence period in real the student organizations were acted as socio-political platform of the Assamese students rather than a literary one. The original student organizations during pre-independence period like the Tea Club, Asamiya Chatrar Sahitya Sabha and the Asamiya Bhasar Unnati Sadhini Sabha dedicated to the improvement of Assamese language and culture were the pioneering organizations of Assam Students’ Union.3 Imposition of Bengali language in 1836 as a medium of instruction instead of Assamese became one of the common factor for the nationalists to fight against their enemy. So, all the organizations emerged during that period were stood primarily to recover the respite of their mother tongue. The organization of an Asamiya Chatrar Sahitya Sanmilan (Literary Conference of Assamese Students) in 1916 is a landmark of student’s activity in Assam. This was formed under the auspices of Chandranath Sarma and other pioneers. For the first time, the students of schools and colleges (Cotton College) of Assam were invited to attend in the meeting. This was presided by Lakshminath Bezboruah.4 In the meeting it was renamed as Assam Chatra Sanmilan. Prominent leaders of Assam Chatra Sanmilan were Chandranath Sarma, Ambikagiri Bora. Heramba Prasad Barua, Jananath Bora, Sarbeswar Sarma Kotoky, Umesh Choudhury, Daiba Chandra Talukdar. The Sanmilan in course of time voluntarily engaged in the practical interest of the province. It had a broader outlook than the previous organizations. Its aims and objectives were – 1. To give facility to the student community of Assam. 2. To develop the literary culture of the students. 3. To help the students to develop. Physical, mental and intellectual capacities besides imparting education in schools and colleges. 5 In 1940, it got affiliation from All India Students’ Federation and came to be known as Students Federations. During the ‘Quit India Movement’ the federation collected funds to fight against the imperialist power. It is remarkable that before independence, the student organization of Assam were developed in nationalistic way. After independence the organization had taken a new turn. In September, 1959 it took the nature of more on non party lines. It came to stand on behalf of the larger and collective interests of the students with its objective to promote the spirit of culture, literature and sports. In 1967, the All Assam Students’ Union emerged with a more clarified position with definite aims and objectives. The constitution of the AASU was adopted on 8th August, 1967.6 The conference was presided by Lakhi Saikia. According to its’ constitution, five tier systems were introduced : viz. State Level Union, District Students’ Union, Mahkuma Students’ Union, Regional Students’ Union, Primary or Local Students’ Union.7 From the following terms and conditions the nature of the AASU can be understand. a. It is not affiliated to any political party. b. To develop a sense of respect for Assam and it’s people. c. To preserve the independent and integrity of the motherland. d. To protect and safeguard the interests of the indigenous people of Assam. e. Development of political, social and cultural consciousness among the youths. The organization also advocated to attain social, economic, political justice, freedom of expression, ideas, truth, self-respect equality in all respects, national integration and fraternity.8 Thus it is seen that it has a broader outlook. After independence, exploitation of natural resources, short shightedness of the political leaders of Assam, their thrust for political power, selfish motives and heavy burden of taxation on Assamese people affected the minds of the young generation. In the post independence period, student organizations came to be formed as a result of culmination of discontent, dissatisfaction with the Congress Government. The student that means the young generation became aware about the rights of the people of the state. In course of time, the student community involved with every aspects of the state which would be feel as destructive for the province. Volume XI, Issue XII, 2019 Page No: 1123 Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology Issn No : 1006-7930 The presidents of AASU from 1967 to 1985 were mainly Lakhi Saikia (1966-1967), Tilak Gogoi (1967-1969), Pradip Dewan (1969-1971), Pulakesh Baruah (1971-1972), Lalan Prasad Sing (1972-1974), Prabin Deka and Monirul Jaman (interim period), Brindavan Goswami (1975-1977), Amrit Borgohain (1977-78), Lalit Chandra Rajkhowa (1978-79) and prafulla kumar Mahanta (1979-1985)9 The General Secretaries during 1979 to 1985 were as such – Dilip Bhattacharyya (1966-1967). Bharat Lohar (1967-1969), Atul Bora (1969-1971), Prasana Kumar Choudhury (1971-1972), Jatin Choudhury (1972-1974), Dipen Dutta and Gautam Bora (interim period). Dipen Dutta and Tazmul Haque (1975-1977), Dharma Borah (1977-1978), Nagen Sarmah (1978-1979) and Bhrigu kumar Phukan (1979-1985)10 The student movements which were mainly led by AASU from post independence to 1985 may be broadly categorized into movement on economic issues and movement to safeguard the linguistic and cultural Identity of the Assamese people. The AASU played a leading role in launching four important movements over economic issues. These were Oil Refinery Movement in 1957 and 1969, movements on the issue of food crisis in 1966 and 1974, movements for protection of linguistic and cultural identity of the people of the state including Official Language Movement in 1960, Medium of Instruction Movement in 1972 and movement on the issue of foreign nationals (1979- 1985) which is known as ‘Assam Movement’.11 Economic Movements The negligent attitude of the Central Government had proved when the Government wanted to establish an Oil Refinery in Bihar.