Safeguard Indigenous Culture: Spiritual Leaders

GUWAHATI: In order to keep the onslaught of foreign religious organizations on the indigenous religion and culture at bay, the indigenous spiritual organizations huddled together on Sunday to evolve a solution. A convention of indigenous spiritual leaders and organizations organized by Loka Jagaran Mancha on Sunday resolved to put pressure on Delhi and Dispur to initiate effective measures to safeguard the culture and identity of indigenous people of Assam.

The convention, attended by over 140 leaders and representatives of spiritual organizations from different parts of the State, expressed serious concern over the threat posed to the identity of indigenous people by alien cultures and organizations. It resolved to put pressure on the State Government and the Centre to prevent the increasing cases of religious conversion in different parts of the State.

Another resolution adopted during the convention stated that it is matter of serious concern that a section of Muslims originated from the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) are trying to encroach upon lands of xatras, religious institutions, wildlife sanctuaries and important monuments in the State.

Resolutions of the convention read out by Pranjal Saikia, chief adviser of Loka Jagaran Mancha, also appealed to the people of Assam to exercise their franchise in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in favour of those who could build a society based on values and ethos of the ancient Indian spiritual system.

Janardan Deva Goswami, Xatradhikar of Uttar Kamalabari Xatra who attended the convention, told reporters that the people must participate in the elections for a vibrant democracy. He said people must be inspired by spiritual thinking that embraces everyone and cast their votes in favour of those who could uphold such thinking.

Among others, spiritual leaders Devanand Deba Goswami, Xatradhikar of Bordua Norua Xatra, Baba Bhigugiru Maharaj, Xatradhikar Jogendra Lagasu, Xatradhikar Rajeshwar Mahapatra, Xatradhikar Mukulananda Deba Goswami, Boloram Phangsu of Lakhiman Sangha, Karbi Anglong and Achariya of Brahma Dharma Samaj Charan Narzary attended the convention held at Vivekananda Kendra at Uzan Bazar in the city.

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