The demand to rename Silchar Railway Station as “Bhasha Shahid Station” (Language Martyrs’ Station) to honor the eleven martyrs of the 1961 Bengali language movement in Barak Valley has long been stalled due to reluctance by the Assam state government. Despite approvals from the Union Home Ministry and Railway Ministry and public support—including from the Asam Sahitya Sabha— the renaming process remains blocked at the state level.
The state government’s refusal to issue a formal no-objection certificate (NOC) and failure to respond to a 2015 central letter confirming spelling have drawn criticism and suspicion about political motives. The movement to rename symbolizes justice and linguistic rights, commemorating unarmed civilians who died defending linguistic identity under Article 29 of the Constitution.
Controversy intensified with some remarks by “Dimasa Writers’ Forum” leadership seeming to downplay the 1961 activists as “Bangladeshis,” which the Dimasa Sahitya Parishad disavowed, emphasizing the diverse participation in the movement—including Bengalis, Manipuris, Dimasas, and tea garden communities. Activists assert renaming is not about linguistic dominance but recognizing sacrifice for democratic and cultural rights.
Calls from cultural bodies and public organizations for official recognition and timely renaming have been mounting, but the state government continues to delay, a stance criticized for ignoring Barak Valley’s emotional and historical sentiments. The neglect includes disparaging comments by government ministers labeling martyrs as “miscreants,” further alienating local communities.
The renaming is seen not only as a tribute but a crucial step to uphold the democratic spirit of India’s linguistic diversity and honor a peaceful, inclusive movement that transcends political and communal divides.
This summary reflects widespread public sentiment, administrative hurdles, and cultural-political dynamics surrounding the longstanding call to rename Silchar Railway Station after the language martyrs of 1961.
