The Asom Sattra Mahasabha (ASM) hosted its mid-term meeting in Bokakhat, Golaghat district on November 4, 5, and 6, 2021
Satradhikars from across the state have petitioned the state government to establish a separate directorate for sattras and naamghars.
Asom Sattra Mahasabha 53rd mid-term conference
The ASM conference recognised the urgent need to maintain, preserve, and develop sattras and naamghars.
It was resolved unanimously to petition the State Government to establish a separate directorate for sattras and naamghars.
Words of ASM general secretary
As per reports by sentinel, Asom Sattra Mahasabha general secretary satradhikar Kusum Kumar Mahanta said that, “sattras and naamghars are the centres of neo-Vaishnavism in the state. Unfortunately, such centres have no separate directorate. The Directorate of Archeology, the Department of Cultural Affairs and even district administrations deal with sattra and naamghar affairs.
“The Assamese nationality will survive only if the sattras and naamghars survive. Sattras and naamghars have many things that make subject matters for research. An exclusive directorate for sattras and naamghars can pave the way for such research works. It can preserve the histories of different sattras and naamghars.”
“Since Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has created a few departments after coming to power, he should also create a separate directorate for sattras and naamghars.
“In the absence of any separate directorate, the government’s statistics on sattras and naamghars is confusing. As per Asom Sattra Mahasabha (ASM) statistics, the state has 1,248 xatras and over one lakh naamghars. And many of them have not got any aid from the government. Since sattras and naamghars keep the religious and cultural heritage of the state alive, the government should extend aid to all of them for their development.”
ASM president Satradhikar Jitendra Nath Pradhani said, “We will soon make known to the government all issues discussed at the recent ASM conference.”
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