In a move that has sparked widespread controversy, the statue of Rasaraj Lakshminath Bezbaroa was removed from the iconic Guwahati Club Rotary Point late on Sunday (May 11, 2025) night to facilitate the construction of the new flyover from Ambari to Noonnmati.

The statue was carefully lifted using hydra heavy vehicles by the flyover construction company in coordination with the Public Works Department (PWD), and relocated to the centre of the road divider on Deepak Kumar Barthakur Road, nearby its original site.

However, the decision to shift the statue—widely regarded as a symbol of Assamese cultural pride—without public notification has ignited criticism from various quarters.

Lakshminath Bezbaroa, a pioneer of Assamese literature and culture, holds immense reverence in the state’s collective memory.

Several citizens and cultural organisations have condemned the unannounced removal of his statue, calling it a disregard for public sentiment and historical legacy.

It is worth noting that the Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaroa Smarak Samiti had earlier written to the Chief Minister on December 30, 2023, requesting that adequate conservation measures be ensured during the flyover’s construction, without hindering progress.

At the time, the Chief Minister had reportedly assured the public that the statue would not be removed from its site.

Despite that assurance, the relocation was carried out late at night, reportedly to avoid public resistance.

As per reports, the statue was shifted “with dignity” and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had been urged to ensure the statue’s beauty and integrity are maintained.

Despite oppositions from a section of the public, several citizens and organisations have welcomed the relocation decision and expressed their satisfaction with the statue’s temporary placement, which is currently covered in plastic for protection.

Meanwhile, the Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaroa Smarak Samiti has cautioned that they would oppose any inappropriate final placement of the statue.

The organisation further informed that they have urged the government to reinstall the statue in a befitting manner beneath the completed flyover.

The committee has also urged the state government to name the new Ambari-Noonmati flyover in honour of Lakshminath Bezbaroa, a formal request for which was sent to the Chief Minister on March 16, 2024.

A commitment for funding has reportedly been received.

On the other hand, the Students' Federation of India (SFI) Assam State Committee Secretary, Sangeeta Das, strongly criticised the government for shifting the statue without public consultation.

Das argued that such an act should have been preceded by a formal public notice and widespread communication.

"This statue is not just a piece of art—it symbolises the cultural spirit of Guwahati and Assam. The Chief Minister could have used the Public Relations Department or social media to inform the public about this sensitive development," the media reported quoting her.

As voices grow louder demanding transparency and accountability, it remains to be seen how the state government will address concerns surrounding the handling of one of Assam’s most respected cultural icons.

It may be mentioned here that the statue of the literary icon was unveiled in 2015 by then Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

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