Gopinath Bardoloi: Jinnah wanted to merge Assam with Pakistan, but a leader failed to plan

India

oi-Ashutosh Tiwari

The country did not develop much before independence, due to which Northeast India was cut off from other states of India. The British used to make new conspiracies for the people there not to revolt. When the time of independence came, Jinnah was trying to unite Assam with Pakistan, but Gopinath Bardoloi foiled every conspiracy against the country. Today, on his birth anniversary, the whole country is remembering him. Let’s know some special things related to his life- (Photo courtesy of Gopinath Bardoloi’s family)

Gopinath Bardoloi was born on 6 June 1890 in Raha village of Nagaon district of Assam. His father Budheshwar and mother Praneshwari tried to educate him since childhood. Growing up, he did his M.A. and then passed the law examination. At the beginning of the 20th century, the independence movement in India intensified. Bardoloi also joined the Civil Disobedience and Non-Cooperation Movement of 1922, due to which he had to go to jail several times. It is said that when Assam was cut off from other parts of the country, Bardoloi was the one who kept the flame of freedom struggle burning there.

At the same time, the country was about to become independent, due to which an interim government was formed in Assam in 1946, in which Bardoloi was made the Chief Minister. On the other hand, Jinnah was preparing the outline of a new Pakistan, he made a plan to merge Assam with Pakistan, while Jawaharlal Nehru was busy preparing for his coronation. The British were also a part of Jinnah’s plan. Its conspiracy had already been hatched in 1905 at the time of the partition.

Gopinath Bardoloi, who was in the service of the country, had sensed the intentions of Jinnah and the British. Because of which he organized hundreds of rallies. Also sent a good delegation to Delhi. After this the Congress leaders became active and Jinnah’s plan failed. Impressed by this, Sardar Patel gave the title of ‘Sher-e-Assam’ to Bardoloi, but the troubles of the Northeast had not diminished yet.

The country became independent in 1947 and it was also partitioned. As soon as East Pakistan was created, lakhs of Hindus started coming to Assam, Bengal and Bihar after saving their lives. Bardoloi immediately became active as soon as he got the news. He first ensured the security of Muslims in his state. After this, arrangements were made for the resettlement of Hindus. At that time the whole of Northeast India was called Assam. Its border was with China, which was eyeing our land. Also there were many tribal groups in Assam. It was difficult to reach them, as the road network was very less in the hilly areas. In such a difficult situation, Bardoloi managed the government very efficiently.

The country became independent in 1947, but there were many problems in Assam like illiteracy, lack of medical facilities etc. To deal with this, he built many universities and hospitals. The High Court was established in Guwahati so that the public could get justice on time. Apart from being a skilled leader, Bardoloi was also a good writer, he wrote books like Anasakti Yoga, Shri Ramchandra, Buddhadev etc. while in jail. He wanted to take Assam further, but he died on 5 August 1950. In view of his service to the country, the Atal Government honored him with the Bharat Ratna (posthumously) in 1999.

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