Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma rejects proposal for Miya museum

Rejecting the proposal of Miya museum in Char anchal ( riverine area) Assam finance minister said that there is no separate identity-and culture in Char Anchal of Assam as most of the people had migrated from Bangladesh.

The proposal for setting up Miya museum was mooted by Congress MLA from Baghbar constituency, Sherman Ali Ahmed, who also belongs to Bengali muslim community.

Sarma said in tweet, "in my understanding, there is no separate identity-and culture in Char Anchal of Assam as most of the people had migrated from Bangladesh. Obviously, in Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakhetra, which is the epitome of Assamese culture, we will not allow any distortion. Sorry MLA Sahab. "


Bengali Muslims in Assam are often referred as Miya muslim. Kalakhetra is cultural Centre in Guwahati set up after reformer Srimanta Sankardev.

Sherman stated in a letter to director of museums, "the people living in char areas are mostly referred to as ‘Miya’, hence, I have proposed the government to establish a museum after them. The museum should be established at Sankardev Kalakshetra, The museum would highlight and reflect the culture and heritage of the Miya people”.

Congress MP from Barpeta in Assam Abdul Khaleque has hit out against Sarma, he tweeted “Sorry Sir@himantabiswa, Ancestors of these people were migrated from erstwhile Bengal, which was integral part of undivided India. Kindly don't distort history more just sake of getting power” .