Guwahati: Expressing annoyance over the latest development, where a State minister allegedly made unwanted comments on Bhaona and later his clarification denying it with a strong message for suing the propagator, the Press Club of Assam (PCA) urges the journalist concerned to clarify his stand. Many media bodies including Gauhati Press Club (GPC) have already condemned minister Ashok Singhal for his ‘irresponsible views’ on the traditional performing art form and now they remain silent after Singhal out-rightly refuted the accusation, stated a PCA release.
The controversy erupted following the social media post by a television journalist, associated with the news channel owned by the State government chief’s family, where the scribe claimed that the Assam Health & Family Welfare minister disrespected a delegation from GPC, who went to invite Singhal for a forthcoming Bhaona performance in the city. During interactions, the minister allegedly questioned the necessity of a press club to organise a Bhaona, which is not secular in nature.
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Soon the issue went viral as many individuals, outfits, media outlets and opposition political leaders and their sympathisers started making a hue & cry demanding an apology from the minister. Some even termed him as a ‘non-Assamese’ who has no idea about the religious performing art form (Ankiya Bhaona), developed by the sixteenth-century Vaishnavite saint, scholar and philosopher Srimanta Sankardev and his prime disciple Madhavdev to enact plays primarily on mythological characters.
The excitement lasted for a short period, as CM Himanta Biswa Sarma commented that he did not believe his cabinet colleague made such an immature comment. It was followed by a formal clarification from Singhal denying the allegation that he made derogatory remarks regarding Bhaona. In a social media post, Singhal stated that it was completely false and fabricated. Acknowledging that a group of scribes visited him to invite for the cultural program, Singhal however expressed his annoyance that a fabricated story was generated and made public by a particular scribe.
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“We are devoted followers of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev and always embracing Gurujona’s creations with deep reverence. Needless to mention, Sankardev’s immense contributions and creations continue enriching the great Assamese society,” said Singhal, adding that the journalist involved with the episode should tender an apology to the people of Assam. Otherwise, he would be compelled to take legal actions, concluded the minister.
Many social media users questioned the GPC for inviting Singhal, as he is neither the State IPR or the cultural minister. Was it not done with the sole aim of getting some hefty donations from the minister (which somehow did not materialise !), otherwise why a minister would make derogatory comments just to receive an invitation letter for any event, questioned a senior journalist while speaking publicly during his live presentations. The acclaimed television scribe even asked the GPC to apologise with the aim of resolving the matter soon. “As the issue has seemingly gone out of proportion, the GPC should come out with a clarification so that the issue comes to an end. Otherwise, it will only help the anti-media elements in the society to launch another series of attacks on the journalist community,” said PCA president Kailash Sarma, working president Nava Thakuria and general secretary Hiren Ch Kalita. They also wished success for the Bhaona titled Gandharir Abhishap, hosted by GPC in association with NEZCC, which is scheduled for 15 March 2025 at Shilpagram premises.
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(Nava Thakuria is a senior Indian journalist who contributes to various media outlets including print and digital platforms of India and across the world.)