Bathou religion

The Bathou religion, a traditional faith system of the Bodo community in Assam, has recently been recognized with its own separate code in the upcoming census.

About Bathou Religion:

• Origin: The Bathou religion is the traditional faith of the Bodo community, the largest plains tribe in Assam. It has a deep connection to the natural elements and emphasizes philosophical thought.

• Meaning of Bathou: The word "Bathou" comes from the Bodo language. "Ba" means five, and "thou" refers to deep philosophical thought, signifying the faith's deep connection to fundamental elements of life and the cosmos.

• Core Beliefs:

  • The religion is based on the worship of five primary elements:

    1. Bar (Air)

    2. San (Sun)

    3. Ha (Earth)

    4. Or (Fire)

    5. Okhrang (Sky)

  • These elements represent the natural forces that sustain life and hold spiritual significance.

• Supreme God - Bwrai Bathou:
  The Bathou religion is centered around the worship of Bwrai Bathou, considered the supreme god of the Bodos. In Bodo language, "Bwrai" means the eldest man in terms of power or knowledge. Bathou followers believe Bwrai Bathou is the source of all life and cosmic order.

• Symbol of Bathou - The Sijou Plant:

  • The Sijou plant (Euphorbia splendens) holds an important place in the Bathou faith. It is seen as the living symbol of Bwrai Bathou, embodying the life force or soul.

  • The plant is planted on an elevated altar, encircled by a bamboo fence. The altar is surrounded by eighteen pairs of bamboo posts, which are symbolic of the five bindings of Bathou:

    1. Birth

    2. Marriage or procreation

    3. Sorrow

    4. Happiness

    5. Death

  • These bindings represent key life events and philosophical principles of the Bathou faith.

Importance of the New Census Code:

• The recognition of Bathou religion as a separate category in the census is a milestone for the Bodo community. This new code will officially acknowledge the religious identity of the Bodos, distinguishing their faith from other belief systems.

• This step could also lead to greater cultural preservation and recognition of indigenous practices and customs.

About the Bodos:

1. Ethnicity and Language:

   • The Bodos are part of the broader Bodo-Kachari group, which includes various tribes and communities that speak the Bodo language, a Tibeto-Burman language.

   • Their culture is distinct, with traditional dances, songs, and festivals. The Bodo community has its own script, called the Bodo script, and a rich heritage of oral literature.

2. Historical Background:

   • The Bodo people have historically been concentrated in the Bodoland region, which includes parts of Kokrajhar, Baksa, Bongaigaon, and Chirang districts of Assam.

   • They have a long history in Assam, but their political and social struggles have intensified in the context of migration, cultural identity, and economic underdevelopment.

3. Political Demands for Autonomy:

   • The first organized demand for a separate Bodo state began in 1967-68. The Bodos sought recognition of their distinct identity and the establishment of a separate state for the Bodo people.

   • The Assam Accord of 1985, which was signed after the Assam Movement, raised hopes for various communities, including the Bodos, but did not address their demands for a separate state.

4. The Role of ABSU (All Bodo Students' Union):

   • In 1987, the ABSU (All Bodo Students' Union) renewed the demand for the creation of Bodoland, a separate state for the Bodo community.

   • ABSU played a significant role in organizing protests, agitations, and movements to assert the Bodo people's rights, and they continued to push for greater autonomy within Assam.

5. Formation of Armed Groups:

   • In 1986, the Bodo Security Force (BSF) was formed as an armed group, later evolving into the NDFB (National Democratic Front of Bodoland). The NDFB pursued an insurgency, demanding an independent state for the Bodos.

   • Over the years, the NDFB split into multiple factions, some of which have engaged in violent activities, while others have participated in peace talks.

6. The Bodo Accords:

   • First Bodo Accord (1993): A significant agreement between the Indian government, ABSU, and Bodo leaders was signed in 1993. This accord led to the creation of the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC), an autonomous body for Bodo-majority areas in Assam, but its powers were limited, and it did not fulfill the demand for full statehood.

   • Second Bodo Accord (2003): This accord, signed between the Indian government, the state government of Assam, and the Bodo Liberation Tiger Force (BLTF), an armed militant group, resulted in the formation of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), an autonomous body under the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The BTC had more powers than the BAC, particularly in areas related to culture, language, and regional governance.

7. The Latest Development – The Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR):

   • In January 2020, a historic agreement was signed between the Indian government, the Assam government, and the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), which led to the creation of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

   • This agreement granted the Bodo community greater autonomy and addressed issues such as the inclusion of Bodo language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, economic development, and the rehabilitation of former militants.

8. Cultural and Social Issues:

   • The Bodo community has faced challenges in terms of cultural preservation, political representation, and economic development. They have often felt marginalized within the larger Assamese political and cultural landscape.

   • The Bodo language and culture have faced significant threats from dominant cultures in Assam, leading to their demand for greater autonomy and recognition.