Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma resigned from the Gauhati High Court Bar Association on April 29, 2025, as tensions continued to escalate over the proposed Judicial Township project in Rangmahal, North Guwahati. Sarma submitted his resignation letter, expressing discomfort over remaining a member of an association that stood in opposition to what he called a visionary move aimed at modernizing the state’s judicial infrastructure.
Sarma stated that the conflict between his role as Chief Minister and his affiliation with the Bar Association created a moral dilemma. He emphasized that his government has always worked towards progress and better facilities for all sections, including the judiciary. His resignation marks a turning point in the ongoing debate over the proposed Judicial Township, which has drawn mixed reactions from the legal community and public alike.
The decision to build the Judicial Township in Rangmahal received initial support from various quarters of the state government. Officials highlighted the township’s potential to decongest existing infrastructure and centralize legal institutions in a more accessible and modern complex. However, members of the Gauhati High Court Bar Association opposed the move, citing concerns about accessibility, displacement, and the historical significance of the present High Court location.
Sarma, in his letter, said he respected the association’s right to dissent but found it ethically incompatible to remain associated while leading the government responsible for the project. He added that as Chief Minister, his first responsibility was to the people of Assam and to decisions that would help the judiciary serve citizens more efficiently. He further reiterated his support for infrastructural expansion and modernization of the judicial system in the state.
The Bar Association earlier staged demonstrations and released public statements denouncing the decision to relocate judicial infrastructure to Rangmahal. Advocates argued that shifting the High Court and related offices would inconvenience thousands of lawyers and litigants. Some legal experts also expressed concerns about the potential environmental impact of the proposed development.
Following Sarma’s resignation, reactions poured in from political leaders, legal practitioners, and civil society members. Several BJP members supported the Chief Minister’s stand and described his decision as bold and consistent with long-term development goals. Meanwhile, opposition parties used the resignation to question the government’s consultation process before launching such an ambitious project.
Legal scholars from the National Law University in Assam weighed in, stating that while judicial infrastructure does require modernization, the state should ensure that such projects do not overlook accessibility and inclusiveness. They recommended that the government hold wider consultations with stakeholders, including local communities, environmental experts, and legal professionals.
The Chief Minister’s resignation has also ignited debates among students of law and young advocates in Guwahati, many of whom feel torn between tradition and the need for change. Some expressed concern about the symbolic significance of distancing the judiciary from its historic location. Others believed that the shift could pave the way for a more organized and technologically advanced judicial process.
As discussions around the township project continue, the Assam government has announced that it remains open to dialogue with the Bar Association and other stakeholders. However, officials confirmed that the project remains on the agenda as part of the state’s vision for judicial reforms and infrastructure development.
The government plans to release a detailed blueprint of the Judicial Township in the coming weeks. Authorities said they will address environmental and logistical concerns and present a transparent model that balances heritage with growth. The project, if executed as planned, could set a precedent for other states considering similar expansions.
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s resignation highlights the complexities involved when political leadership intersects with institutional affiliations. It also draws attention to the broader conversation about development versus legacy — a theme that will likely remain central to Assam’s governance landscape in the months to come.
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