'No RSS agent in Barpeta Xatra'

Keep politics out of the Xatra, says Burha Xatradhikar

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Dec 14:  Barpeta Xatra Burha Xatradhikar Bashista Deba Sarma has termed the mudslinging over Rahul Gandhi's visit to the revered Vaishvite mostery as "unfortute" and said the institution should not be politicized.

"There is no RSS agent in the Xatra. It is a religious place and only religious activities are undertaken here. Where does politics come into the Xatra?" Sarma said.

"The women here are simple people and they come twice a day for participating in the community prayers in the Xatra. They were only waiting at the Xatra gate to see Rahul Gandhi. They do not know anything about politics," Sarma said.

"Connecting a centre of religion and culture like the Xatra with politics is most unfortute. In future, politics and the Xatra should not be linked," he said.

Due to health reasons, Sarma has kept away from the Xatra for nearly a month.

"But I went there on being told that Rahul Gandhi was coming. He came in the morning but did not enter," Sarma said.

The Bura Xatradhikar also said he was not aware if the Xatra committee had taken a decision not to allow Gandhi to enter the temple.