Union Home Minister Amit Shah Addresses 13th Triennial Bathou Mahasabha Conference in Assam

Tezpur:  Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, graced the 13th Triennial Bathou Mahasabha Conference in Tezpur, Assam, where he highlighted the significance of the Bathou religion and commended the efforts towards resolving the Bodoland problem in the Northeast.

Shri Amit Shah acknowledged India’s rich diversity of beliefs, emphasizing the importance of the Bathou religion alongside traditional Sanatan Dharma. He credited Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the successful resolution of the Bodoland issue, enabling the region to transition from violence to development. Dularai Bathou Gouthum, established in Guwahati in 1962, has played a crucial role in supporting the Bodo community and Bathou religion.

The Union Home Minister praised the Mahasabha’s efforts in incorporating the Bathou religion into the lifestyle of the Bodo community through practical and scientific analysis. He highlighted the Assam government’s recognition of the second Tuesday of the month of Magh as a holiday for Bathou Puja, showcasing the government’s commitment to cultural and religious celebrations.

Shri Amit Shah delved into the philosophy of Bathou religion, explaining that “Ba” signifies five, and “Thou” means deep, symbolizing the science of the five elements. The fundamental principle of Bathouism is to convey the message of the unity of these elements. According to Shri Shah, Bathou religion promotes worship of nature, as reflected in the Bathou flag and its philosophy.

The Home Minister shared the five moral messages of Bathouism—sacred experience, sacred practice, compassion, truth, and renunciation of hatred—asserting that these principles provide guidance not only to the Bodo community but to the entire nation and the world.

Shri Amit Shah reiterated the commitment of the Government of India and the Government of Assam, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to strengthen all religions. Emphasizing the importance of nature in various belief systems, he pledged to preserve and promote religions focusing on nature-worship, especially in the Northeast.

Discussing the historical struggles of the Bodo movement, Shri Shah highlighted the positive transformation after the signing of the Bodo Agreement under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. He noted the significant reduction in incidents of violence, deaths of security forces personnel, and civilian deaths in the entire Northeast. Shri Shah credited the Modi government for signing nine peace agreements in the last decade, bringing about peace and development in the region.

Underlining the success of the Bodo Agreement signed on January 27, 2020, Shri Amit Shah mentioned that over 1600 youth have joined the mainstream, contributing to the overall development. The Union and Assam governments have allocated a development package of Rs 1500 crore for the area’s progress. The Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, has played a crucial role in fostering development, recognizing the local Bodo language, and creating the Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council.

The speech encapsulated the government’s commitment to religious harmony, cultural preservation, and holistic development, showcasing the positive impact of initiatives led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Northeast.