Assam Movement Leader Rekha Sarma Dies at 90

Guwahati: Rekha Sarma died Wednesday at her home in Nagaon. She was 90. A veteran leader of the Assam Movement, Sarma spent years fighting in the trenches of the anti-foreigner agitation. She organized students and women under the All Assam Students’ Union and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad banners.

Sarma held massive influence. In 1984, she led the largest women's convention in state history at Nagaon College. She also helped start the Mahila Parishad, serving as its General Secretary to boost female involvement in politics. Later, she moved into mainstream party politics. She joined the BJP and worked alongside former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

She broke new ground in 1996. Sarma became the first woman from the Northeast to run for a Lok Sabha seat on a BJP ticket. Beyond politics, she wrote several books, including Smritir Jolongare and Satyamev Jayate. The Nagaon District Sahitya Sabha mourned her passing, stating she was a person "whose life was enriched by knowledge, culture and human values."

State leaders offered their respects. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called her death an irreparable loss. Party officials paid tribute at the BJP district office. She leaves behind four sons, their wives, and grandchildren.