New Delhi:
Top polling stations in Assam on Friday marked the end of the second phase of elections by singing the iconic civil rights song 'We Shall Overcome' at midnight. The jam session, caught on camera, has since gone viral.
Leading the chant was Morigaon district Deputy Commissioner Devashish Sharma, who strummed his guitar and belted out tunes around 2 am on Saturday as weary polling agents arrived at the booth. Video of the impromptu jam session shows Mr Sharma in the middle of a large gathering with his guitar as others join in on the iconic song's chorus, first in the local dialect and then in English.
Watch: Assam officials sing “We Shall Overcome” after the second phase of polling#LokSabhaElections2024pic.twitter.com/zB0B9nVBqs
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The origins of the anthem are unknown, but throughout history it has served as a rallying cry for civil rights movements around the world, including during the freedom struggle in India, in which Girija Kumar Mathur's original Hindi translation of the song as 'Hum Honge Kameyab' is still sung. schools in the country.
The second phase of elections in Assam saw a voter turnout of 77.35 percent in five parliamentary constituencies on Friday. According to the Election Commission, this turnout reflects the robust participation of citizens in shaping the democratic process.
The third phase of elections is scheduled for May 7, with four Lok Sabha seats in Assam-Guwahati, Barpeta, Kokrajhar and Dhubri, with 47 candidates in the fray.