HTCorrespondent
JORHAT, June 20: The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has urged Tezpur University to establish an academic chair in honour of Bishnu Prasad Rabha to facilitate extensive research on his life, ideology and contributions to literature and culture.
Speaking at the valedictory function of the centrally organised three-day Rabha Divas programme at the Jorhat District Sports Association (JDSA) ground on Friday, AASU president Utpal Sarma said that Rabha, a revolutionary icon and a towering figure in Assam’s cultural landscape, deserved focused academic study.
He called upon the state government to provide financial assistance for such a chair to support research and documentation of Rabha’s legacy.
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Addressing the large gathering, Sarma said that Rabha’s ideals should serve as an inspiration for the youth.
“To honour and follow Rabha, one does not need to be affiliated to any political ideology. What matters is a commitment to work for the poor and the marginalised, which he did throughout his life,” he said.
The AASU president also made a significant historical remark, pointing out that Rabha had inherited nearly 2,500 bighas of land in Tezpur but chose not to register it in government records.
“It is said that the Tezpur University stands on the very land Rabha once owned,” Sarma said, contrasting Rabha’s selflessness with the material pursuits of the present generation.
Earlier in the day, Sarma along with other AASU leaders paid floral tributes at a bust of Bishnu Prasad Rabha installed on the occasion.
Over 4,000 students participated in the programme, singing Rabha Sangeet and showcasing the cultural depth of his musical legacy.
The three-day Rabha Divas celebration featured a variety of literary and cultural events including song, drawing, poetry, debate, and quiz competitions.
A souvenir of the event and two new books were also released during the programme. Cultural performances were held on both Thursday and Friday evenings.
In Jorhat, the district administration organised parallel observances of Rabha Divas at multiple venues including the Sankardev Kala Krishti Gaveshana Kendra and the auditorium of the Teok Municipal Board.
Rabha Sangeet was also played from parked vehicles outside schools in all four constituencies under the district.
The Asam Sahitya Sabha commemorated the occasion at its Chandra Kanta Handique Bhawan office, underlining the widespread reverence for Rabha across cultural and literary circles.
