Jagun, Margherita Co-District, Assam | Sep 5, 2025 — The All India Youth Federation (AIYF) and All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), Assam State Council, jointly launched the “Adhikar Yatra” today from Jagun, opposed to several Union and state government policies. The march aims to highlight the erosion of rights—‘Adhikar’—affecting farmers, youth, and marginalized groups across Assam.
As the yatra proceeded through Jagun, hundreds of participants, including students, small farmers, and local activists, joined the procession. They carried banners and placards demanding land rights, affordable education, job security, and protection of public welfare schemes such as MNREGA and ration entitlements.
Yatra Goals: Rights, Justice, Equality
AIYF and AIKS leaders spoke at the launch assembly, accusing both levels of government of sidelining grassroots needs in pursuit of political agendas.
AIYF State President Rishav Gogoi criticized the education policies, citing rising tuition fees and loan burdens. “Young minds are being burdened by costlier education and limited opportunities,” he said. “Our yatra demands affordable learning and meaningful careers.”
AIKS State Secretary Malati Rabha, while addressing local farmers, attacked the government’s agricultural policies. “Farmer distress is rising due to low crop prices, delayed subsidy payments, and unequal treatment. We demand guaranteed MSP and timely relief.”
They also condemned controversial citizenship and land laws, arguing that they undermine individual rights and sow fear among communities.
Mapping the Route and Mobilizing Support
The Adhikar Yatra routes through Margherita, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar, Nazira and culminates in Guwahati. Along the way, champions of the cause will hold public meetings in key towns, educating locals and collecting inputs for their demands.
Participants plan to hand over a charter of demands to the Assam Governor in Guwahati. The ending rally, scheduled for late September, will demand implementation of legal guarantees and social welfare policies.
Political Reactions and Wider Significance
The yatra’s launch has sparked political debate. BJP leaders dismissed it as “political theatrics,” asserting that their development agenda benefits all. “We are improving infrastructure, education, and farmer welfare,” said a local BJP organizer. “We will not be distracted by protest politics.”
Civil society, however, welcomed the initiative as a voice for the voiceless. Observers cautioned that ignoring rural discontent ahead of upcoming elections could cost both central and state governments politically.
Assam’s Rights Movement and the Adhikar Yatra Legacy
Protests and yatras have a long history in Assam, often influencing policy and public discourse. The Adhikar Yatra follows in the footsteps of previous movements that brought attention to regional grievances from the anti-foreign agitation to environmental campaigns.
Rights activists hope this yatra will prompt the government to revisit policy decisions in agriculture, education, and social welfare.
Key Campaign Demands
| Issue | Demands |
|---|---|
| Farmers | Fair MSP, timely subsidies, debt relief, crop insurance |
| Youth | Affordable education, vocational training, employment guarantee |
| Welfare | MNREGA expansion, universal rations, healthcare access |
| Civil Rights | Protection against arbitrary detention, support for marginalized communities |
Mobilizing Citizens: How to Support
Organizers urge citizens to:
- Join the yatra on its route in nearby towns
- Share testimonials or grievances through social media using the hashtag #AdhikarYatra
- Participate in local meetings to help shape the final charter
- Press political representatives to respond to the demands
Looking Ahead
As the Adhikar Yatra gathers momentum, it is set to test how responsive Assam’s elected leaders are to grassroots pressure. For many, this march is not just a protest—it is a democratic assertion of collective rights and public accountability.
