Assam police seals Goalpara district's Miya Museum

The Assam Police on Tuesday sealed the Miya Museum in Goalpara district, which was inaugurated on Sunday by the All Assam Miya Parishad. The general secretary of the Parishad, Abdul B Sheik, was arrested and Mohar Ali was detained by the police.

Citing the reason for sealing the museum, Rajiv Gogoi, Circle Officer, Lakhipur Circle, Goalpara, said that the person who was allocated this house by the government, didn't stay here and instead used the house for the Miya Museum. "That's why we have sealed the house," he said. The notice outside stated, "As per direction of DC Goalpara, this PMAY-G house of Mohar Ali, s/o Somesh Ali, is hereby sealed till further orders."

Bengali-speaking Muslims are often referred to as 'Miya Muslims'. Muslims comprise 34% of the 3.12 crore population of Assam, of which 4% are indigenous Assamese Muslims and the remaining mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims.


There have been objections to this museum with the ruling BJP MLAs asking the state government to demolish the museum that showcases the culture of migrant Muslims. BJP legislator Prasanta Phukan was the first to demand that the newly-inaugurated museum be pulled down.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "From where have they got money to do this? The police will probe. It is time for the Assamese people or people of Indian origin to start thinking. There will be a case in this regard."