Assam: AKRASU observes 'Black Day' over neglect of Koch Rajbongshi community in state

The All Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRASU) hoisted black flags across Bongaigaon on August 28, observing it as a 'Black Day'. 

This day, marked as a 'Black Day,' commemorates the 1949 State Agreement of Cooch Behar, which the community perceives as a betrayal by the Indian government.

According to the AKRASU president, the dissolution of the Cooch Behar state has led to decades of neglect and marginalization of the Koch Rajbongshi people, a situation that remains unresolved to this day.

"If you see, the Koch Rajbongshi state was brought into the Indian fold by the Government of India. As per a deal, it was mentioned that the Indian Government would give 1st class citizenship to the Koch Rajbongshis. Now currently, we didn't recieve those benefits. Our people are left out of all those help from the government. In 1949, August 28, our leaders Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru signed a treaty with our Koch Rajbongshi king. Now as per the treaty no benefits are being provided to the people of Kamatapur. No help either from the government for the Koch people", said AKRASU president.

The AKRASU president criticized successive governments, including both Congress and BJP, accusing them of failing to address the long-standing issues of the Koch Rajbongshi community. He issued a stern warning, stating that the government will face a large-scale democratic movement if their demands continue to be ignored.