Assam's 'Miya' Museum row: Why has a museum inside Kalakshetra become a flashpoint?

After Assam government shut down state-run mrassas, a new flashpoint has sparked in state over proposed museum reflecting culture of 'Char-Chapori' people in Srimanta Sankareva Kalakshetra premises in Guwahati. Congress'  Baghbar MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed, who h written to director of museums, h pointed out that museum was approved by a 15-member Standing Committee, asking him to expedite process. Assam Home Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma immediately tweeted that 're will be such distortion' of Kalakshetra. election to 126-member Assam Assembly is likely in March-April of next year, where BJP eyes to retain state.

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Who are Char-Charpori people?

Char-Chapori area detes riverine area of lower and central Assam which mainly comprises of Bengali Muslims. While Ahmed claims that residents in that area are from erstwhile East Bengal, which was an integral part of undivided India, Sarma claims that residents have migrated from Banglesh, reflecting anti-foreigner sentiment prevalent in Assam. Srimanta Sankareva Kalakshetra - where 'Char-Charpori' museum is proposed -  is a cultural institution named after saint scholar, social-religious reformer Srimanta Sankardeva  - a Vaishanavite, ding a religious clash to controversy. Moreover, complex was set up under Clause 6 of Assam Accord, signed in 1985, to 'preserve and promote cultural herit of people of Assam', after bloody anti-foreigners agitation in Assam.

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What is 'Miya museum' controversy?

controversy ignited when Ahmed in a Facebook post mentioned 'Miya Museum' in English while handing over letter issuing his demand to director of museums. Furrmore, Ahmed said, "Lungis should be kept at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra" - tritional attire of Char-Charpori men. Sarma retaliated angrily stating 'After he (Ahmed) said this I could t sleep whole night. He will be sent to jail if he does t apologise publicly, after polls'. He ded that Ahmed will be dealt with after polls because, "If we do so w, he (Ahmed) will get a few more votes in assembly elections".

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Or Assamese parties have retaliated by pointing that 'Miya' museum h recommended by Departmentally Related Standing Committee on Education (DRSCE), 2020-21 of Assam Assembly - comprising of 15 members from BJP, AGP, BPF, Congress and AIUDF. Terming it a shame to Assamese culture Rajya Sabha Member Ajit Kumar Bhuyan - chief of Anchalik Gana Morcha(AGM) said "Will MLAs from ruling coalition answer why y supported recommendation?". Ahmed, on or hand, has backtracked, stating 'where in museum proposal is 'Miya' written. BJP is doing dirty politics'.

Sarma has lashed out at Ahmed saying that 'using word 'lungi' in connection with Kalakshetra cant be accepted in any way', as it 'hurt Assamese sentiments'. Assam witnessed massive protests against CAA-NRC-NPR after Centre passed Citizenship Amendment Act - which provides citizenship to n-muslim migrants from Banglesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Assamese people fear a massive inrush of migrants which will threaten ir indigeus culture - violating Assam accords. BJP is yet to convince state subjects of merits of CAA, after disastrous NRC drive which resulted in exclusion of 19 lakh citizens.

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