Sarat Chandra Sinha

Sarat Chandra Sinha (1 January 1914 – 25 December 2005) was an Indian politician and Chief Minister of Assam. He was a leader of Indian National Congress, Indian National Congress (Socialist) and Nationalist Congress Party.

Early life and education Sinha was born in a Rajbanshi family in Bhakatpara village of Chapar under Dhubri district. He belonged to a farmer family. Sinha's father, Lalsingh Sinha ensured that his son always carried his slate and pencil while accompanying him to the paddy fields. Sinha learnt his arithmetic tables by counting his and his father's footsteps to the weekly village market. "Sometimes he would ask me to multiply the footsteps, sometimes divide," Sinha had said, recalling his childhood in a lengthy interview with All India Radio, Guwahati.

Sinha received his bachelor's degree from the Cotton College, Guwahati and subsequently moved to Banaras Hindu University for law education.

Chief Ministership

Tenure Sinha was first made an interim Chief Minister in 1972 by Indira Gandhi and subsequently became an elected chief minister and served till 1978.

Sinha was involved in setting up the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital and Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited. He believed in decentralisation of power and introduced Panchayati Raj in the State for the welfare of the backward communities.

First Motion of No-Confidence The main grounds on which Gaurisankar Bhattacharyya tabled a No-confidence Motion against the Government of Sinha were: 1. profession and practice of the Government had proved to be diametrically opposite; 2. the basic necessities of life had not been assured to the masses; 3. the problem of unemployment had become more acute; 4. prices of essential commodities had risen to unprecedented and spiralling heights; (v) abuse of official positions for securing pecuniary and other benefits; 5. misappropriation of funds of the State; and (vi) maladministration in matters of public services. Leave to move the motion was granted on 29 November 1973. Seven members took part in the discussion held on 4 and 5 December 1973.

Initiating the debate on 4 December 1973, Gaurisankar Bhattacharyya said the people had voted the Ministry to power with an overwhelming majority, but that their hopes and aspirations proved to be short-lived. He cited examples of the Government's policies and its failure to eliminate poverty. Bhattacharyya also gave examples of how Calcutta had gained from the oil company and tea industry situated in Assam, thereby resulting in heavy losses to the State exchequer. He further alleged that the Government had cut down expenditure in the important fields of social welfare and had lost its credibility. The education policy of the Government had not helped the people at all and several anomalies were found in the education system. Healso referred to the growing unemployment problem and demanded 80 per cent reservation in the Government and semi-Government jobs for the local people. He further alleged that the Government's policy for the eradication of corruption was far from satisfactory.

He attended literary discussion at the age of 90, drama workshop, dharna, hunger strike or trade union meeting. His wife, Labanya Sinha, died on 21 September 2017, aged 89, Beltola, after being unwell for several days. Several political leaders including Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal paid tribute to her.

Death and funeral On 24 December 2005, Sinha was admitted to Gauhati Medical College, after he had a fever and was being treated for renal failure. After his condition deteriorated in the night, he was shifted to the ICU. On 25 December, at 1.30 AM, Sinha died due to old-age ailments, a week before his 92nd birthday. The government declared three days of official mourning for Sinha. He was cremated with full state honours at the Nabagraha crematorium in the city.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi was among the first to reach Sinha's residence at Beltola to pay tribute. He described the Sinha's death as "the end of a political era." Leader of the Opposition Brindaban Goswami described Sinha as "an idealist and an exemplary leader who led his life with moral conviction and simplicity."

Legacy On 28 September 2020, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday unveiled a life-size statue of Sinha at Ratnapith College at Chapar in Dhubri district. Sonowal also inaugurated a complex consisting of a memorial garden in the name of Sarat Chandra Sinha, an auditorium, stage and a renovated house of Sinha. Sonowal said that Sinha was "an embodiment of truth, honesty, simplicity and dedication."

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