By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Rekha Sharma, a pioneering woman leader of the Assam Movement, noted social worker and litterateur, passed away at her residence in Amolapatty, Nagaon, on Wednesday after a prolonged illness. She was 88.
Sharma emerged as one of the prominent faces of the Assam Movement in Nagaon district under the banners of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP). She played a key role in mobilising students and women during the anti-foreigner agitation and was widely recognised for her organisational abilities and grassroots leadership.
She inspired and mobilised countless students during the movement and contributed significantly to strengthening the mass movement.
Under her leadership, Nagaon College hosted what is regarded as the largest women’s convention in Assam’s history in 1984. She also played a pivotal role in the formation of the state-wide Mahila Parishad and served as its General Secretary, helping strengthen women’s participation in the socio-political sphere.
Known for her forthright views and commitment to public causes, Sharma remained active in social and political life long after the Assam Movement. She later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and worked closely with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
In 1996, she became the first woman from the Northeast to contest a Lok Sabha election on a BJP ticket when she entered the fray from the Nagaon parliamentary constituency.
Apart from her contributions to public life, Sharma made a significant mark in Assamese literature. Her published works include Smritir Jolongare, Koto Kotha Koto Kahini and Satyamev Jayate.
The Nagaon District Sahitya Sabha condoled her death. In a joint statement, its president, Sarat Borkataki, and secretary, Rajeev Kumar Hazarika, described Sharma as a woman whose life was enriched by knowledge, culture and human values, and said her contributions would continue to inspire society.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also expressed grief over her demise, describing her as a prominent leader of the Assam Movement, an accomplished women’s organiser and a distinguished writer. He termed her death an irreparable loss to Assam’s social life.
Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia paid floral tributes to Sharma at the party’s district office in Nagaon.
Condolences also poured in from former Minister Girindra Kumar Baruah, noted social worker Brajen Kakati and socio-cultural organisation Shipa – The Root.
She is survived by her four sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren.