BJP’s Bihar Day Celebration in Assam Sparks Controversy

The announcement of Bihar Day celebrations on March 22 in Assam’s Tinsukia district has led to protests from several local groups. The banned insurgent group Ulfa-I strongly opposed the event, claiming it could dilute Assamese culture. The group also issued a warning to avoid playing Hindi songs during the Rongali Bihu celebrations in April.

Also  Read: AAP rejig after poll debacle: Bhardwaj replaces Gopal in Delhi, Sisodia moved to Punjab

Warning Against Hindi Songs in Bihu Celebrations

In an email to the media, Ulfa-I urged renowned singers like Angarag Papon Mahanta and Zubeen Garg to refrain from singing Hindi songs for the first seven days of Bihu. The group emphasized maintaining the festival's traditional essence and had previously issued similar warnings. However, some artists, including Zubeen Garg, have defied these diktats in the past.

Political Reactions and Cultural Concerns

Local organizations argue that holding Bihar Day in Tinsukia is an attempt to impose Bihar’s culture on Assam. The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) president, Utpal Sarma, stated that such celebrations should be restricted to Raj Bhawan, as done for other state days. Opposition MLA Akhil Gogoi also questioned why Assam Day is not celebrated in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, or Rajasthan.

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Response

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma warned that such protests could create misunderstandings and negatively impact Assamese people living in other states.

Also Read: Karnataka Bandh on March 22: What It Means for Students, Transport and Businesses