Remembering Gopinath Bordoloi on his Birth Anniversary

• Image Credit: Internet

• Jun 6, 2022 | Kabir Chakraborty

Bordoloi's political career began when he joined the Indian National Congress (INC) as a volunteer in 1921. He was arrested in 1922 as he had taken part in the non-cooperation movement. When the movement was called off due to the Chauri Chara incident, he went back to practising law. Between 1930 and 1933, he was away from all the political activity.

Digital Desk: June 6 is the birth anniversary of
Gopinath Bordoloi. Born on June 6, 1890, Bordoloi was a politician and Indian
independence activist who served as the first chief minister of Assam.

He
was conferred with the title 'Lokapriya' due to his unselfish dedication
to the people of Assam and the state.

Born
to Buddheswar Bordoloi and Praneswari Bordoloi, he lost his mother when he was
just 12 years old. He studied at the Cotton College and, in 1909, got admission
to the Scottish Church College. He passed the MA and then studied law for three
years. He, however, returned to Guwahati without taking the final exam. He then
took up a temporary job as Headmaster at the Sonaram High School, and during
this period, he sat and passed his law exam, following which he began
practising in 1917.

Bordoloi's
political career began when he joined the Indian National Congress as a
volunteer in 1921. He was arrested in 1922 as he had taken part in the
non-cooperation movement. When the movement was called off due to the Chauri
Chara incident, he went back to practising law. Between 1930 and 1933, he kept
away from all political activity.

Born
to Buddheswar Bordoloi and Praneswari Bordoloi, he lost his mother when he was
just 12 years old. He studied at the Cotton College and, in 1909, he
got admission to the Scottish Church College. He passed the MA and then
studied law for three years.

Bordoloi's
political career began when he joined the Indian National Congress (INC) as a
volunteer in 1921. He was arrested in 1922 as he had taken part in the
non-cooperation movement. When the movement was called off due to the Chauri
Chara incident, he went back to practising law. Between 1930 and 1933, he was
away from all the political activity.

Some
of his key reforms were to stop land tax and stop giving land to Migrant
Muslims to secure the rights of the indigenous people.

His
government, however, did not last long as World War II began in 1939. His
cabinet resigned following an appeal by Mahatma Gandhi. In July 1945, the
British announced their decision to form a new constitution for India after
holding the central and regional elections. Congress took part in it and in
1946 they won 61 of the 108 seats. The government was formed and Bordoloi
was made the Chief Minister.

After
independence, he worked closely with Sardar Vallabhai Patel to secure the
sovereignty of Assam against China on one hand and Pakistan on the other. He
also helped organize the rehabilitation of millions of Hindu refugees who
had fled East Pakistan due to violence and intimidation in the aftermath of the partition.

He
was also instrumental in establishing the High Court of Assam, Assam Medical
College, and Assam Veterinary College. He led a simple life despite being the
Chief Minister. Bordoloi breathed his last on August 5, 1950.