Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday inaugurated the Rs 227-crore redevelopment project of Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva, at Borduwa in Assam’s Nagaon district. The event drew a large gathering of devotees, residents and visitors, highlighting the deep cultural and spiritual importance of the site for the people of Assam.
Calling it a “deeply auspicious moment,” Shah began his address by paying homage to Srimanta Sankardeva and also bowing before the holy Kamakhya Temple. He said Assam has always been known as a land of spirituality, culture and sacrifice. Describing his visit as meaningful, he said it was a privilege to be present at the birthplace of the great saint.
During his speech, the Union Home Minister also remembered several important figures from Assam’s history. He referred to Bharat Ratna Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi and said his efforts had ensured that Assam and the Northeast remained an integral part of India. Shah also paid tribute to literary icon Lakshminath Bezbaruah. 
Speaking about the Batadrava Than redevelopment, Shah said the ₹227-crore project reflected deep respect for Assam’s heritage. He thanked the state government for inviting him to inaugurate the work and said the project would help preserve and promote the legacy of Srimanta Sankardeva for future generations.
While stating that he did not wish to speak politically on such a sacred occasion, Shah nevertheless mentioned government efforts to clear illegal encroachments from religious and environmentally sensitive areas. He praised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for what he called decisive action, including restoration of Namghars and clearing of land in places like Kaziranga National Park. He said over one lakh acres of land had been freed from occupation.
Shah also criticised earlier Congress governments, alleging that laws like the IMDT Act had encouraged illegal settlement in Assam. He said the present government was committed to identifying and removing illegal immigrants across the country. He further said that Congress governments had failed to recognise Assam Movement martyrs for many years, while the Swahid Smarak Kshetra was completed under the current government.
Highlighting the Centre’s focus on the Northeast, Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the region nearly 80 times, while he himself had come to Assam around 35 times in the last 11 years. He claimed that Congress governments had invested about ₹1 lakh crore in Assam over a decade, while the present government had facilitated development investments above ₹15 lakh crore. He added that while the Congress “only talked,” the BJP government was focused on delivery and long-pending development work.
Earlier in the day, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the inauguration as an extremely sacred and historic moment for the people of Assam. He said the Abirbhav Kshetra of Srimanta Sankardeva at Borduwa had long been awaited and the project fulfilled long-standing public expectations.
Sarma said there had been constant demand for improvement of the road from Borduwa to Oshinaki, especially during the inauguration of the Abirbhav Kshetra. He said those demands had now been addressed. Calling it a historic day not only for Assam but for the whole country, he thanked the Union Home Minister for inaugurating the project.
The Chief Minister said the Abirbhav Kshetra would serve as a centre for discussion and learning on the life and teachings of Srimanta Sankardeva. According to him, the project would allow people to better understand the saint’s philosophy, spiritual practices and contribution to society.
Sarma added that Batadrava Than had been developed in a comprehensive way, keeping in mind cultural, religious and public needs. He also announced that visitors to Borduwa would not have to bear personal expenses, as the government would make arrangements to support pilgrims and tourists. The aim, he said, was to ensure comfort and convenience for everyone who wished to visit the sacred site.
Both leaders stressed that the redevelopment of Batadrava Than was not only about infrastructure, but also about preserving faith, tradition and identity. The inauguration marks a major milestone in the continued effort to protect and promote Assam’s Vaishnavite heritage and the teachings of Srimanta Sankardeva, who remains one of the most influential spiritual figures of the region.
