'ASI has no information on dismantling activities in historic Shiva Dol'

OUR CORRESPONDENT

SIVASAGAR: The dismantling of Shiva Linga, including Nandi and other interiors, from the historic Shiva Dol recently under the leadership of some individuals of Dol Development Committee, created a public storm not only in Sivasagar but also in the entire state.

Conscious senior citizens of Sivasagar under the banner of 'Save Sivasagar Build Sivasagar' on Thursday addressed a press meet at Yuva Dal in Sivasagar to make public the reports received from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Guwahati Circle and ASI Horticulture Division, Bhubaneswar Circle in respect of dismantling activities in the Shiva Dol and cutting of the trees on the Shiva Dol premises.

The press meet was addressed by 83-year old Nitya Narayan Borgohain, 82-year old Ranjit Borgohain, noted social worker Saurav Chaliha, senior journalist Manoj Borthakur, retired Assam Police officials Jagat Ch. Hazarika and Abdul Hamid, former president of Arunudoy Xahitya Xabha Safiqur Rahman and social worker Bharati Saikia, who said that under the leadership of some members of the Dol Development Committee, the dismantling of deities located inside the Shiva Dol was done. These people had claimed that these activities were done at the ASI's directions as part of efforts to get the UNESCO World Heritage Tag. The members of the committee also cut down the trees on the Dol premises clarifying the reason that roots of the trees were causing harm to the three dols viz, Shiva Dol, Devi Dol and Bishnu Dol.

On the issue of removing Shiva Linga and other idols from the sanctum sanctorum of Shiva Dol, they informed that when contacted, the ASI Guwahati Office denied having any such plan. Later, a team of ASI visited the Shiva Dol and as per their directives the Shiva Linga was re-installed.

They also informed that Jayanta Sharma, Secretary of Heritage Conservation Society of Assam (HeCSA), filed an RTI questioning 'Under what instructions and object, all the trees of the ancient of the premises of Shiva Dol, Bishnu Dol and Devi Dol of Sivasagar has been uprooted', to which the office of the Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar Circle, Samantrapur, Bhubaneswar replied, "No record in this regard is available with the ASI, Bhubaneswar Circle."

"This reveals that some individuals of the Dol Development Committee had kept the members and people of Sivasagar in the dark about their motive behind doing such outrageous acts," said the organizers of the press meet.

The Dol Development Committee had to seek the opinion of locals, senior citizens and noted personalities of Sivasagar who had depth knowledge of history before taking the decisions, they said. "These activities have not only hurt the sentiments of devotees and people of Sivasagar and the state as a whole, but also threatened to destroy the age-old communal harmony in the district," they said.

They also informed that a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister of Assam on April 25, 2022 regarding the dismantling activities within Shiva Dol premises to which the Chief Minister ordered the Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner to conduct inquiry into the matter.

They also informed that before addressing the press meet, senior and noted citizens accompanied by renowned Assamese actor Pranjal Saikia and xecretary of HeCSA, Jayanta Sharma, met the Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner and submitted a memorandum informing three resolutions taken in a public meeting held on May 17, 2022, which sought urgent and stringent measures against the individuals who had dismantled the sacred Shiva Linga and the marble icon of the Nandi from the sanctum sanctorum of Shiva Dol, to dissolve the present Dol Development Committee and reconstitute the same with people of known credentials and reputation who have in-depth knowledge of the history, religion and culture of the region as a section of the Dol Development Committee members have misguided the chairman, and to undertake a tree plantation drive in historic Shiva Dol premises.

They also requested the Deputy Commissioner to monitor the ongoing inquiry instituted as per the direction of the Chief Minister of Assam so that the inquiry would be fair, unbiased and proper.

Also Read:   Assam: Excavation In Siva Dol Of Sivasagar, Ahom Era Patal Bhairab Kund Discovered

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