Organisations in Silchar hold mass demonstration to condemn the tearing apart of Bengali language banners during Durga Puja

Under the banner of “Amra Bangali” and several other social organisations, a massive demonstration took place today in front of the Khudiram statue in Silchar, starting at 11 am and lasting for three hours. The protest was in response to the tearing apart of Bengali language banners in some Durga Puja Pandals in Brahmaputra Valley by miscreants affiliated with certain inconspicuous rogue organisations, labelled as “headline seekers” by the Assam Chief Minister.

The demonstration also attended by intellectuals and general public strongly criticised the heinous acts of defacing and tearing apart Bengali language banners during the Durga Puja season. Notable figures like Tapadhir Bhattacharjee, Sadhan Purkayastha, Ataur Rahman Mazarbhuiya, Pradip Dutta Roy and Rupam Nandi Purkayastha were present at the event.

The common demand expressed at the congregation was the immediate arrest of those responsible for besmirching Bengali language. The protestors perceived it as an attack on Bengali culture and religious beliefs. Surprisingly, despite the public knowledge of the vigilantes involved in the tearing apart of the banners, law enforcement authorities are yet to take any action against them thus making people skeptical of their impartiality. Some have also questioned the silence of Hindu nationalist organisations such as the VHP and Sangh Paribar, which have yet to issue any formal statement condemning these nefarious acts.

Youth activist Subhashish Choudhury, when speaking to our correspondent, remarked, “What unfolded in some parts of the Brahmaputra Valley during Durga Puja is the brazen show of lawlessness and the lack of will and intention of the Govt. to act against extreme regionalist-majoritarian forces.”

He further added, “The attacks on places of worship of Hindus and the deafening silence of the presumed pro-Hindu Govt and its leaders is not only a step-motherly behavior against the Bengalis of the state but also treachery against the idea of Hindutva.”