Bamunjhar village, which has historically been home to people of diverse castes and communities, is now grappling with issues of caste and religion.
Digital Desk: A portion of families has been ostracized by the community due to their participation in Bihu celebrations with members of other castes. Not only are these families excluded from society for a year, but they are also facing a fine of Rs 10,000 for regularly observing Bihu. Additionally, even families who celebrate Bihu with individuals from different castes are being denied access to the village namghar.
Bamunjhar village, which has historically been home to people of diverse castes and communities, is now grappling with issues of caste and religion. Some members of the community, under the leadership of Essam Dhurandha, are propagating divisive politics. Directives have been issued by one community to avoid interaction with another community. As a consequence of celebrating Bihu with members of different communities, the offering of mah prasad lies untouched in the namghar.
Certain individuals from the Barmuria community, including the president and secretary of the Nath Khel, have issued a decree prohibiting Nath community families from engaging in any activities with people of other castes. However, defying these directives, a courageous group of women from the village, along with individuals from various ethnic backgrounds, celebrated Bihu on the 25th of Bohag as organized by the Regional Rangdhali Bihu Festival Celebration Committee of Bamunjhar. Sadly, this act of celebration is deemed as a transgression by certain members of the Kurita family in the village.
Bihu holds significant cultural importance for the Assamese people. Those who partook in the festival entered the namghar, causing the mah prasad to be left untouched. In view of their "untouchable" status, members of the Barmuria community closed the main door of the namghar.
This incident, fueled by politics and intolerance towards caste and religion, has disrupted harmony in the village and brought shame upon the progressive generation. It's noteworthy that the conflict arose last year over the observance of Mahapurush Shankardev's birth anniversary. Subsequently, women and girls from different ethnic backgrounds in the village united to celebrate Bihu.
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