Will put Congress MLA Sherman Ali behind bars, says Himanta Biswa Sarma

'MIYA MUSEUM' ROW

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Saturday, said that the Government will put Congress MLA Sherman Ali behind bars after the Assembly elections for "daring to say that blue lungis will be displayed at the SrimantaSankardevaKalakshetra here, as a symbol of the Miya culture".

Talking to the media on Saturday, Minister Sarma said, "Those vocal for the preservation of Miya culture are the ones who were afraid of their names not making it to the NRC (National Register of Citizens). Sherman Ali will have to tender a public apology. Else he will be put behind bars, after the elections. This is my promise before the people of Assam."

When asked as to why no action has been taken against Sherman Ali now, Sarma said, "That'll give him an undue political mileage."

The Minister further said, "We've seen that some organizations and a section of the people in the State are launching attacks on the SrimantaSankaradevaKalakshetra and the Assamese language in a systematic way. They're creating a Miya language in Assam by distorting the Assamese language. A section of the people is supporting the proposed Miya Museum; and in the process has put the indigenous Assamese Muslims in troubled waters. The Assamese Muslims never support the Miya language and culture, let alone a Miya Museum. Let the people of the sar-saporis create their own language. However, they should stay away from distorting the Assamese language.

"We did paint the Guru Asana (mentor's seat) while inaugurating the flyover at Ganeshguri here recently. We had to erase the mentor's seat soon after the inaugural function so as not to let people desecrate it by spitting – knowingly or unknowingly. This is the kind of sanctity attached to the mentor. How come one says that they'll display blue lungis in the SrimantaSankaradevaKalakshetra?

"We're not against Islam, nor are we against the language which the Islamic people speak in the sar areas across the State. We've developed a number of places related to Azan Peer. However, an Azan Peer Dargah and a Miya Museum can never be the one and the same.

"They first encroached upon land at Borduwa — the birthplace of SrimantaSankardev. Now they're out to set up a Miya Museum at SrimantaSankaradevaKalakshetra, desecrating its sanctity. We can't be mute spectators to all such designs. During the delimitation exercise, we'll realign Borduwa Legislative Assembly Constituency in such a way that no Miya candidate can ever be an MLA from there."

Also watch: Live: Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Live From Janata Bhawan (Assam Secretariat)

Also read:  'Lungis' won't be allowed in Kalakshetra, Sherman Ali will be sent to jail: Himanta Biswa Sarma