‘A separate directorate is the need of the hour for the upkeep of Xatras in the State’
By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Aug 30: The Axom Xatra Mahaxabha (AXM) has appealed to all Hindus, who had converted to other religions, to stage a homecoming so as to make the Sotan Hindu Dharma stronger. It feels the need of a separate directorate for the upkeep of Xatras in the State.
The AXM had a brainstorming session at Dispur Press Club on Wednesday on various issues. Later talking to The Sentinel AXM secretary general Kusum Kumar Mahanta said: “History bears testimony to the fact that Hindus converted to various other religions or were made to convert to other religions at different times in the past and in different areas for different reasons in Assam. Mainly in Darrang, Majuli, Udalguri, Baksa etc., districts the Hindus were converted to Christianity, Buddhism and to an extent to Islam, and in some cases they were made to convert their religion. We appeal to them to stage a homecoming. Our door is open for them.”
On xatras, Mahanta said: “There are over 1,200 xatras in Assam. Many of them need special upkeep so as to keep the Xatra tradition alive. The government should take steps towards that end, besides freeing encroached Xatra land in the State. The me and teachings of Srimanta Sankardeva should be spread elsewhere in the country. Educatiol institutions should also be med after him. All universities in the State should make textbooks on Sankardeva available, besides instituting a chair in his me. Like all other religious leaders, the birth and death anniversaries of Sankardeva should also be observed in the country amidst various activities.”
On Xatriya dance and Borgeet, Mahanta said: “Xatriya dance is now one of the classical schools of dance. The State Government and Sangeet tak Akademi should take steps for its spread elsewhere in the country. Likewise, Borgeet should also be given tiol recognition for its spread. The need of the hour is a separate Directorate for the smooth upkeep of Xatras in the State.”
The session was attended, among other Xatradhikars, by Nityanda Dev Mahanta, Dr. Sunil Kumar Goswami, Dr. Giri Kanta Mahanta, Professor Brindaban Goswami and AXM Chintan Cell convener Jadav Chandra Mahanta.