Silchar: The Cachar District Committee of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) marked the death anniversary of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar a towering figure of India’s 19th-century reform movement with solemn tributes and awareness programmes across various parts of Silchar and its outskirts on Tuesday.

As part of the observance, regional units of AIDSO organized commemorative events at several locations. At these venues, students and AIDSO members paid floral tribute to Vidyasagar by garlanding his portraits.

Alongside the tributes, public discussions were held at Tarapur, Steamer Ghat Road, Srikona, and other places, focusing on the life and progressive legacy of Vidyasagar. Speakers such as AIDSO Cachar District President Swagata Bhattacharjee, State Council Joint Secretary Prashanta Bhattacharjee, and Joint Secretary Gaurchandra Das delved into Vidyasagar’s relentless fight against superstition, religious dogma, and gender-based oppression.

The speakers highlighted his groundbreaking efforts in championing modern, secular education and institutional reform. They noted his key role in introducing widow remarriage, opposing polygamy, and promoting women’s education initiatives that challenged the prevailing orthodoxy of his time.

In his address, Swagata Bhattacharjee drew attention to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, introduced by the Central Government on July 29, stating that it directly contradicts Vidyasagar’s vision of an inclusive and democratic education system. He alleged that NEP 2020 is pushing the education sector towards privatization, commercialization, and communalization, which is threatening public institutions and limiting educational access for economically weaker sections.

The speakers called for building a strong mass movement to demand the complete withdrawal of the NEP 2020, in order to uphold the true spirit of Vidyasagar’s ideals.

Meanwhile, a separate programme was jointly organized by AIDSO, AIDYO (All India Democratic Youth Organisation), and AIMSS (All India Mahila Sanskritik Sangathan) at Dwarbond Bazar. The event featured floral tributes and a discussion, with AIDYO District Secretary Paritosh Bhattacharjee and AIMSS organiser Soma Dey addressing the gathering and reflecting on Vidyasagar’s contributions.

The day-long observances reaffirmed the organisations’ commitment to preserve and propagate the values that Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar stood for, especially in the face of contemporary educational and social challenges.

Promotional | Subscribe KRC TIMES e-copy