BJP opposition to Char-Chapori museum drama for 'political mileage': MP Ajit Bhuyan

Guwahati: Eminent journalist-turned-politician Ajit Kumar Bhuyan has slammed the BJP government over its alleged opposition to the construction of a Char Chapori museum at the Srimanta Kalakshetra. Claiming that the BJP is feigning outrage to gain 'political mileage', Bhuyan pointed out that the Departmentally Related Standing Committee which recommended the museum primarily comprises BJP/AGP members.

Lashing out at the Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's recent outburst on Twitter against the move to construct the museum, Bhuyan wrote on Twitter, "The Char-Chapori museum was recommended by Departmentally Related Standing Committee whose majority members are from the BJP and its ruling coalition. Now, after passing a recommendation with support from majority members, BJP is politicising the whole issue to garner political mileage. What a shame!"

In anoter tweet, Bhuyan pointed out that most of the members of the DRSC are from the ruling BJP-AGP-BPG coalition. Taking a jibe at the ruling coalition for the alleged double standards, Bhuyan wrote, "The DRSC headed by AGP MLA Utpal Dutta has 15 member MLAs. 6 from BJP, 2 from AGP, 2 from BPF, 3 from Congress and 2 from AIUDF. Now it's clear who wants the 'Miya Museum' in Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra premises."

"Will the members of the committee headed by Utpal Dutta disclose on what basis was a museum on Char-Chapori proposed in Kalakshetra premises? Will the MLAs from the ruling coalition answer why they supported the DRSC recommendation in the first place?", Bhuyan questioned.

To back up his claims, Bhuyan also showed documents listing the names of the MLAs that were a part of the DRSC.

It needs mention here that the Education and Finance Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma of the BJP, on Sunday rejected the Congress' proposal to set up a museum for the Muslims living in Char anchal (riverine area) of the state at the famous Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati.

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Congress MLA from Baghbar constituency (under Barpeta district), Sherman Ali Ahmed last week proposed the Assam government to establish the museum for the Muslims living in Char-Chaporis of the state at the famed Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati.

Rejecting the proposal of setting up of the museum in Char-Chaporis (Riverine Islands), Sarma said that there is no separate identity and culture of the Muslims living in Char Anchal (Riverine areas) of Assam as most of the people had migrated from Bangladesh.

"In my understanding, there is no separate identity-and culture in Char Anchal of Assam as most of the people had migrated from Bangladesh. Obviously, in Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakhetra, which is the epitome of Assamese culture, we will not allow any distortion. Sorry MLA Sahab," the Minister wrote in a tweet.

Sherman Ali Ahmed in his letter to the Director of Museums in Assam said that the proposed museum was recently recommended by the DRSC (Departmentally Related Standing Committee of Assam assembly) on Education in its 47th Report on Art and Culture.

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