Assam can proudly claim to have initiated such a high level of religious tolerance soon after the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992 in Uttar Pradesh. Under the aegis of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) an all-religion Monikut Utsav is held and a coordited procession is taken out on the first day of Magh since 1992. It is on the first day of Magh when Uruj begins at the Dargah at Powa Mecca at Hajo. Magh is essentially a month of festival at Hajo, a conglomerate of Hindu temples, the Muslim Dargah at Powa Mecca and a Buddhist temple. The cultural procession that begins at Powa Mecca concludes at Madhav Hayagrib Mandir on the first day of every Magh. The procession is essentially a cultural extravaganza comprising folk culture of all hues – by various ethnic communities including Bihu, Jikirs, amprasangas, etc. A Maghi Mela is an essential part of the festivity that began at 11 in the morning on Monday. The procession was flagged off by the Khadim of the Durgah Sharief of Powa Mecca Syed Nurbox Ali Dewan and Shiva Prasad Sarma from Panchatirtha Doloi Samaj. State Fince Additiol Chief Secretary VV Pyarelal, AASU general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Kamrup DC Kamal Kumar Baishya, noted writer Padmashree Eli Ahmed and others also took part in the procession. Speaking on the occasion, AASU leader Lurinjyoti Gogoi said: “Hajo is a land where all regions thrive together. Permanent peace in Assam will stage a comeback if each and every ethnic community in the State emulates Hajo.”
