Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused the state's previous Congress government of allowing massive encroachment on land belonging to 'Satras' (Vaishnavite monasteries).
In a post on social media, the Chief Minister claimed that the Congress party ignored the concerns of the local people to please its "illegal immigrant vote bank." He stated this led to over 4,300 acres of Satra land being illegally occupied across the state.
"The Congress Govt massive encroachment on land belonging to 'Satras' while pandering to their illegal immigrant vote bank," said Sarma
He alleged that thousands of bighas of Satra land had been encroached upon across major centres, including 7,137 bighas (2,355.21 acres) in Barpeta, 2,583.79 bighas (852.66 acres) in Nagaon, 2,757.39 bighas (909.94 acres) in Bajali, and 896.76 bighas (295.94 acres) in Lakhimpur.
The Chief Minister affirmed that his BJP-led government is committed to clearing these encroachments and returning the land to the monasteries.
The government has announced it will set up a permanent 'Satra Aayog' (Satra Commission). They claimed the Commission would protect the Satras and ensure their welfare. A temporary commission, formed in 2021, had already studied the problems faced by these institutions and submitted a report with recommendations.
The Congress has so far not responded to the claims of the Assam Chief Minister.
What are Satras?
Satras are not just monasteries; they are important cultural and religious institutions in Assam. Founded by the 15th-16th-century saint and social reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva, they are centers for the Vaishnavite faith, which is followed by a large part of the state's Hindu population. They preserve traditional music (Borgeet), dance (Sattriya), and theatre (Bhaona), making them vital to Assamese identity.
Why is land encroachment a sensitive issue?
For decades, Assam has faced political and social tension over migration, particularly from neighbouring Bangladesh. Many Indigenous communities feel that their land, resources, and cultural identity are under threat. Land is a precious resource, and for the Satras, it is essential for their survival, as they often use it for farming to support themselves. Therefore, any encroachment, especially when linked to "illegal immigrants," becomes a highly emotional and politically charged issue.
