Unity of the Bodos Need of the Hour

Bodos are an indigenous tribe settled in the plains of Assam. They are one of the oldest tribe to settle in the area. However, the Bodos form only about 5.5 % of the total population of Assam. The demand for Bodoland has been one of the aspirations of the Bodos since 1980’s. It is quite obvious that the cry for Bodoland has fallen on deaf years of the Indian government. Thus Bodos have had to wait for it for so long. The passive attitude of the government has also given rise to armed movements among the Bodos. In the past years there has also been lot of misunderstanding among the Bodo leaders. This has further aggravated the problems in the area. The differences of views among the Bodos themselves have given rise to lot of bloodshed among the Bodos themselves. This is indeed a very sorry state.

The only solution to this problem, I think is the unity of the Bodos. Indeed it is not easy to form a state especially when there are so many within the proposed Bodoland territory who are opposing it for various reasons; one of the reason being, they could be sidelined in the state of Bodoland; whatever their fears may be. I believe if Bodos are united and start demanding for the state of Bodoland probably the dream of Bodoland will become a reality soon. The problem I see is there is lot of division and differences of opinions among the Bodos. If the Bodos (who form only 5.5% of the total population of Assam) are divided among themselves how do you expect the government to grant Bodoland? Surely the need of the hour is unity of all Bodos.