Website Design: The Guwahati
Guwahati: The Assam wing of Hindu Yuva Chatra Parishad (HYCP) staged dharna program on Friday at the Sri Sri Jarabari Satra (a branch) in Betkuchi, Guwahati over alleged violation of Satra traditions and misuse of its premises for commercial activities. Hundreds of protestors from the Hindu Yuva Chhatra Parishad, Assam, in association with the Sri Sri Jarabari Satra Restoration Committee.
The protest saw the participation of devotees and members of the organisations gathered outside the Satra, accusing the self-proclaimed Satra authority Lakshikanta Deka of turning the Satra into a hub of non-religious activities, including managing a restaurant serving non-vegetarian food.
In a joint press statement issued by Madhav Das, Central President of the Hindu Yuva Chhatra Parishad and Anshuman Sharma, General secretary of the Satra stated that the said Satra was once guided by the religious values of the saints is now facing serious irregularities. The statement further alleged that after the mysterious death of former Satra chief Ponaram Bapu, Lakshikanta Deka claimed control over the Satra, allowing his family members to stay permanently on the premises and commercialising the space.
One of the major allegations made by HYCP is about the running of a restaurant named “Agha” in the Satra land, it is also alleged that the restaurant reportedly sells non-vegetarian food. The protesters also claim that this restaurant is owned by Janardhan Hazarika and Abhinandan Hazarika, who are said to be relatives of Assam Satra Commission Chairman and Amguri MLA Pradip Hazarika.
Calling for immediate action on the matter, the protestors of Hindu Yuva Chatra Parishad submitted a memorandum to the district administration and Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma demanded an immediate and impartial investigation into the allegations. They stressed that the matter is not just about Jarabari Satra but about the sanctity of all Satras in Assam.
The protest was joined by several prominent members, including Chief Advisor Balen Baisya, Organisational Secretary Rupam Das, Executive Member Bitumoni Gogoi, Metropolitan Committee members Tinku Kalita and Dhrubajyoti Das, and Revival Committee Chairperson Padmini Malakar.
