"Himanta Biswa Sarma thinks I win by Muslim votes, he forgets I win by Bengali votes" Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha

A bitter war of words has broken out between Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha (Congress MLA from North Karimganj) and Himanta Biswa Sarma ( Health and Finance Minister of Assam) over the contention of a “Bengali Museum” in the Srimanta Sankaradev Kalakshetra.

Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha placed a demand to the State Government for constructing a Bengali Museum in Srimanta Sankaradev Kalakshetra, which, in his words, would “highlight the cultural richness of the Bengali community.” Justifying his rationale for the demand, Dey said, “The Bengalis have the highest contribution in India’s freedom struggle. A museum will go a long way in highlighting the sacrifices and contribution of the community.” He further added, “Such a museum of utmost importance should be set-up at Sankardeva Kalakshetra, which is the assemblage of Assam’s various communities.”

Responding to Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha’s demand, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said,
“Such claims portray the insensitivity of Congress leaders.”

Dr. Sarma snowballed into an even more fierce tirade when he said, “Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha doesn’t represent Bengali community.”

He further went on to say, “Why does the Congress have such interest over Shankardev Kalakshetra?”

Dr. Sarma explained his reasoning as to why a “Bengali Museum” cannot be allowed to be built at Shankardev Kalakshetra. According to his words, “Should I place Goddess Kamakhya’s photo at Kalakhetra? Everything has its proper place. There should be a line of distinction between ‘shakta ‘and ‘Vaishnav’ ways. We should remember that everyone is sensitive about all these.”

Barak Bulletin’s correspondent got in touch with Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha for his response over Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma’s barrage of attacks over the demand for “Bengali Museum”.

Talking to Barak Bulletin, Dey Purkayastha, didn’t hold back his horses and said, “I hope people see his true colours now.” He went on, “While he is absolutely incapable of answering why the demand for a museum is not acceptable, he dares to question my legitimacy to speak for Bengalis. Least of all, I don’t need this certificate from Himanta Biswa Sarma.”

He went on, “He may think that I win by Muslim votes. But he forgets that I win by Bengali votes.” Adding on, “Let Bengali people realise why Himanta Biswa Sarma got so agitated by this simple proposal.”

The rejoinder by Dey Purkayastha reached its crescendo when he said, “Let Himanta Biswa Sarma come here. I am giving him an open challenge to come and contest against me.”

He concluded by saying, “While they couldn’t fulfil one demand in their vision document for Barak Valley, they have the audacity to say what they are saying now.”

It is worthy to mention that Himanta Biswa Sarma’s comments over Bengali Museum is a part of the same press conference where he threatened to send Congress MLA Sherman Ali to jail once BJP comes to power again.

As the Assembly Election is inching closer, fault lines along linguistic and religious lines are becoming visible. The early signs seem to bear a bad omen to yet another ‘identity politics’ driven State elections in India.