The first Assamese to become the President of the Indian National Congress (INC) was Dev Kant Barooah. He held this prestigious post from 1975 to 1978, during one of the most turbulent political periods in Indian history—the Emergency.
Born in 1911 in Dibrugarh, Assam, Dev Kant Barooah was not only a seasoned politician but also a respected poet and writer. As Congress president, he is famously remembered for coining the controversial slogan:
"India is Indira, Indira is India,"
expressing unwavering support for then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the Emergency era (1975–1977).
Before his rise to the national stage, Barooah had also served as the Governor of Bihar, making him a prominent face from Assam in Indian politics. His literary and political contributions have left a lasting impact on Assam's legacy in the national narrative.
Dev Kant Barooah remains an iconic figure in the history of the Indian National Congress and Assamese representation in national leadership.