Amit Shah Inaugurates Redeveloped Batadrava Than, Reclaims Srimanta Shankar Dev’s Legacy in Assam
The site has been developed after detailed study of Neo-Vaishnavite traditions and the Shrimad Bhagavat, with religious symbols and architectural elements recreated with precision and devotion.
Nagaon (Assam), December 30: Union Home Minister and Minister for Cooperation Amit Shah on Monday inaugurated the redeveloped Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Srimanta Shankar Dev, marking the transformation of the historic site into a world-class pilgrimage centre and a symbol of Assam’s cultural renaissance.
Addressing a large gathering, Shah said Batadrava Than, which had remained under encroachment for years, has now been freed and restored as a sacred site connecting the present generation with 500 years of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage. He said the message of Ek Bharat articulated by Srimanta Shankar Dev centuries ago continues to guide India today under the leadership of Narendra Modi.
₹222-crore project across 162 bighas
The redevelopment project, executed in three phases at a cost of over ₹222 crore, spans 162 bighas and includes the creation of an Aavirbhav Kshetra at the saint’s birthplace. Shah said the site has been developed after detailed study of Neo-Vaishnavite traditions and the Shrimad Bhagavat, with religious symbols and architectural elements recreated with precision and devotion.
Calling Batadrava Than more than a place of worship, Shah described it as a living symbol of Assamese harmony and goodwill that will serve as a centre for collective devotion and the propagation of Eka Sarana Nama Dharma across the Northeast.
Tribute to Assam’s national role
Recalling Assam’s place in India’s history, Shah said Gopinath Bordoloi played a decisive role in ensuring that Assam remained part of India. “Had Bordoloi not existed, Assam and the Northeast would not have remained with the nation,” he said.
From conflict to peace
Highlighting Assam’s transformation, the home minister said a region once associated with unrest and bomb blasts now resonates with the Naam-Smaran of Srimanta Shankar Dev. He said the Modi government has signed five peace accords for Assam since 2020, adding that 92% of the issues have already been resolved and full resolution is expected soon.
Shah credited the Assam government, led by Himanta Biswa Sarma, for freeing over 1.29 lakh bighas of land from encroachment, including sensitive areas such as Kaziranga. He said earlier policies, including the 1983 IMDT Act, enabled illegal settlement, but the current approach prioritises cultural preservation and national security.
Cultural revival and infrastructure push
The minister said the government has taken Assam’s cultural icons to a national and global audience—translating the life of Lachit Borphukan into 23 languages, securing a GI tag for the Gamosa, and promoting heritage such as the Vrindavani Vastra. He also cited UNESCO recognition for Charaideo Maidam and record participation in Bihu celebrations.
On infrastructure, Shah outlined major investments in highways, bridges, rail, waterways and healthcare, including AIIMS and medical colleges, positioning Assam as a growth engine for the Northeast. He also highlighted upcoming industrial projects, including a semiconductor unit and a new ammonia–urea complex, as evidence of Assam’s shift from agitation to development.
Dignitaries present
The event was attended by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, minister of state for external affairs Pabitra Margherita, and other dignitaries.
Concluding, Shah appealed for continued public support, saying the government’s resolve is to preserve Assam’s culture, ensure lasting peace, and make the state fully free of illegal infiltration while advancing development across the Northeast.
