Assam MLAs urge CM to declare Aug 13 as state holiday
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 12 2025:
Five Assam MLAs have urged chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to declare August 13 a state holiday in honour of Bir Tikendrajit,'commander of the Manipur Army and a prominent figure in India's freedom struggle.
In a joint representation, MLAs Kaushik Rai (Lakhipur), Krishnendu Paul (Patharkandi), Mihir Kanti Shome (Udharbond), Bijoy Malakar (Ratabari) and Dipayan Chakraborty (Silchar) noted that Bir Tikendrajit was publicly hanged by the British on August 13, 1891, at Polo Ground in Imphal, alongside Thangal General.
The MLAs said that Bir Tikendrajit engineered a palace revolution that triggered the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891, also known as the "Manipur Expedition" .
His call to "save Mother India from the British" inspired many to join the struggle for independence, they said, adding that he faced death with a smile.
The legislators stressed that the day has been observed in many parts of Assam for years, not only by the Manipuri community but also by other communities.
They said that the death anniversary is marked in a befitting manner across the state and has become a longstanding public demand for official recognition as a holiday.
"In view of the supreme sacrifice of Bir Tikendrajit, we pray that August 13 be declared a state holiday to commemorate his contribution to India's freedom struggle," the representation stated.




