Karendra Basumatary popularly known as ‘Mugani Daoharu‘ was an Indian prominent Bodo student leader, writer, politician and social worker. He was the former president of the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), and a three-time Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Mazbat constituency in Assam.
He was born on 1st February 1958 at Balisiha village of Rwota Anchalik under Udalguri district of Assam. He passed away on October 3, 2022, at the age of 64.
He was a smart and really enthusiastic student. He began his basic education right in his village. He passed his matriculation examination conducted under Secondary Board of Assam from Dikiajuli in 1974. He passed his Higher Secondary from Tezpur College in 1976. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science from Tezpur College under Gauhati University in 1980 and passed the Rastrabhasa Kobid from Rastrabhasa Prachar Samiti, Wardha in 1976.
Since his student days, he worked closely with the student union. People in the area admired him for the quality of his work and leadership. That’s how he got started doing great things for the Bodo community, including the All Bodo Students’ Union at one point.
He served as the President of ABSU from 1983 to 1986, playing a crucial role in shaping early Bodo nationalist student advocacy.
He was the advisor when Upendranath Brahma led the movement for a separate state called ‘Bodoland’ as the President of the All Boro Students’ Union from 1987. He motivated Upendranath Brahma during the movement and suggested he work on ways to make the Bodo community stronger. After Upendranath Brahma passed away, he gave him the title ‘Bodofa’.
He entered into the politics after finishing up his student organisation work. He wanted to help out the local people through politics and worked hard to serve the whole community.
He was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Paneri constituency for the 1991–1996 term.
He was later elected for two consecutive terms (2001–2006 and 2006–2011) from the Mazbat Assembly constituency.
He served as a long-time MLA representing the Mazbat constituency in the Assam Legislative Assembly, winning as an independent candidate and later associating with the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) before joining the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) in 2020.
He was also a former chairman of the Bodo People’s Action Committee (BPAC).
He was closely related to the religious organization All Brahma Dharma Samity.
In April 2026, he was posthumously conferred the prestigious 8th Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Award for his immense contributions to society, literature, and the Bodo community.