Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi (1890-1950) was the first Chief Minister of Assam, and also a leading Indian freedom-fighter from Assam. He was born on June 6, 1890 at Raha, Nagaon. He passed matriculation from Cotton College in 1907 and graduated from Scottish Church College, Calcutta in 1911. Bordoloi obtained M.A. degree from Calcutta University in 1914. He also studied Law for 3 years and left it uncompleted to come back to Guwahati. Then, Bordoloi started his career as temporary Headmaster of Sonaram High School, Guwahati. Later he passed the Law examination and started practicing in Guwahati.

Gopinath Bordoloi

Life & Career:

In 1922, Gopinath Bordolo joined the Indian National Congress as a volunteer. He actively participated in the Indian independence movement and got jailed for 1 year. During 1930-1933, he stayed away from politics and got involved in various social activities in Guwahati. In 1936, Indian National Congress participated in the Regional Assembly Election. Even after winning the election with majority, Congress remained as the opposition party and Gopinath Bordoloi was elected as the leader of opposition.

After rising through Congress ranks, Bordoloi’s biggest battle came as Bengal’s Muslim majority wanted to include the Assam in a Muslim-majority Pakistan. Organizing protests and engaging the colonial government on the highest level prevented mass communal riots in Assam and allowed for it to preserve its territorial integrity within India.

In 1946, Congress participated in regional election and became the major party in Assembly with 61 seats out of 108. Congress went ahead to form government and Gopinath Bordoloi was made Chief Minister of Assam, unanimously. After India’s Independence, Gopinath Bordolo worked closely with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to secure Assam against Communist China and East Pakistan, and also organize the return of millions of refugees who fled East Pakistan due to widespread violence and intimidation during partition. His work gave a base of communal harmony, democracy and stability which kept Assam secure and progressive right up till the 1971 war over East Pakistan’s independence. His work earned him respect, love and affection of masses. That’s why people of Assam named him “Lokpriya”.

Gopinath Bordoloi died on August 5, 1950. He was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratn, the India’s highest civilian award in 1999.

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