Guwahati: Ranjeev Kumar Sarma, the BJP’s Spokesperson for Assam claimed on Saturday that Miya has never existed in the state’s history.
Addressing a press meet in Basistha, Sarma said, “When we speak about history of Assam, it implies Mising, Tiwa, Burman, etc. and not Miya.”
“Today they are asking for the Miya Museum, and tomorrow they will establish up an armaments plant,” he continued.
“The Congress gave birth to Miya, and as long as the BJP is in power in Dispur-Delhi, there cannot be a Miya museum. The plan for the Miya museum has previously been rejected by the Kalakshetra officials,” he added.
It should be noted that former Assam Congress MLA Sherman Ali, who was expelled from the organisation after calling for the establishment of a “Miya Museum” in the state, has since demanded that the state’s administration and Assamese civil society organisations recognise the Miya community there as a fundamental component of Assamese society.
Recent controversy erupted over the opening of a private Miya Museum by the Miya Parishad in the Goalpara district of Assam, which the indigenous Assamese people views as a threat to their identity.
The museum was sealed after a few days after its opening and three people were taken into custody for allegedly having ties to terrorist organisations.