Assam Congress warns party MLA on ‘Miya Museum’

The Congress in Assam has requested its MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed to desist from pursuing the setting up of a museum reflecting the tradition and heritage of the individuals dwelling in ‘char-chaporis’ of the State.

‘Char’ in Assamese means sandbar whereas ‘chapori’ is flood-prone riverbank. These areas are related to migrant Muslims of Bengali origin who’re seen as ‘Bangladeshis’.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Ripun Bora in a letter to the MLA requested him to chorus from making “any further controversial statement” on the problem that had given the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a scope for polarising the individuals with “disinformation campaign and propaganda”.

Also learn | Will not allow ‘Miya Museum’ in Assam, says BJP

Mr. Ali represents the Congress from the Baghbor Assembly constituency in western Assam’s Barpeta district. He had earlier received the seat on an All India United Democratic Front ticket.

Mr. Bora reminded Mr. Ali of getting informed him on October 26 to chorus from issuing any assertion or response on establishing a “museum for Miya culture” on the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, the showcase of Assamese tradition in Guwahati.

“But you have been repeatedly hammering the same matter which has given the BJP and the RSS (the opportunity) to make serious controversy by dragging the name of our Congress party. Your statements at this critical juncture on the eve of upcoming Assembly election are totally unwanted,” the State Congress president stated.

Panel’s advice

Mr. Ali had in a letter on October 18 requested Assam’s Director of Museums to comply with up the March 24 advice of a 16-member panel of MLAs to arrange a museum throughout the Kalakshetra complicated for reflecting the tradition and heritage of the individuals dwelling within the ‘char-chaporis’.

Mr. Bora informed Mr. Ali that reminding the Director of Museums in regards to the advice “was in perfect order” and “you did your duty as an MLA”.

“But the recent controversy arose due to your reaction and statement made in the media for a Miya Museum which was out of the content of your above letter,” he wrote in his letter to the MLA.

Assam’s Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and State BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass have stated permitting the “Miya Museum” can be tantamount to distorting the tradition propagated by 15-Sixteenth saint-reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva.

Political opponents and NGOs have, nevertheless, identified the committee that really helpful the museum included six BJP legislators and was headed by an MLA of the Asom Gana Parishad, the BJP’s ally.