Biswa Sarma’s message to Bengalis: Enjoy Durga Puja but celebrate Bihu too; get Dhak from Siliguri but also bring Dhol from Majuli

Assam is going through a turbulent time surrounded by provocative statements from certain section of intellectuals living in either side of Borail mountain – Barak and Brahmaputra Valley.

The passing of Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 in Lok Sabha was welcomed by people of Barak Valley with crackers while residents of Brahmaputra Valley decided to revolt against it. The scenario came in as a blow to BJP, which on the hands of Himanta Biswa Sarma and Sarbananda Sonowal managed to establish a strong foothold not only in Assam but in the whole of Northeast.

Yesterday, while answering a question at Vivekananda International Foundation’s ‘Vimarsha on India’s North East: From Periphery to the Core’, the Finance Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma shared his message for the Bengali Hindus living in Assam.

 

 

The question asked to him was, “What will happen to the Hindus who shifted to Assam before 1971 as the amended Citizenship act would take care of those who moved between 1971 to 2014.”

Sarma responded saying that Assam Accord takes care of those who migrated before 1971 and considers each and everyone irrespective of caste, community, and creed as an Indian citizen and that is well accepted at a society level, according to Sarma.

While answering the question, Sarma mentioned that he had a message for the Bengalis in Assam, “The Bengalis also need to reciprocate the sentiments of the Assamese people” he said.

He went on to add, “Why do you need to maintain Bengali medium schools in Assam, either go to English medium schools or  Assamese medium schools, it gives a strong signal of assimilation.” Sarma then spoke about the festivals and his message to Bengalis was, “Have Durga Puja but when you bring certain things from Siliguri bring something from Majuli too. In the Puja mandap bring dhak from Siliguri but also bring Dhol from my village.”

He was of the opinion that the story of assimilation has to be written by both Bengalis and Assamese people and an assimilated Assam is essential for the strengthening of India, “You and I have a role to play here, we need to go back and say why only Durga Puja we must celebrate Bihu too. We need to tell people that if your child wants to go to an Assamese medium school don’t stop your child. Yes, there is a difference which has been created over the last century primarily because of the language but now we need to build a rainbow alliance or we won’t be able to stop a demographic invasion, we cannot stop Assam from becoming next Kashmir,” said Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The BJP heavyweight mentioned that the state has been “taken over by the left secular parties” in last seven days. However, he is confident that BJP will regain its foothold as it has a strong grassroot organisation.