The Assam government is working on a law to create an indigenous-only zone around Batadrava Than, in Assam’s Nagaon district, the birthplace of 15th-16th century saint-reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva who propounded neo-Vaishnavism.
The state Government is mulling to ban sale of land near the Batadrava Than in the state to “non-indigenous” people.
This was announced by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on September 24.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Assam government is mulling to enact a law barring “non-indigenous” people from buying land in an eight-kilometre radius around the historic Batadrava Than.
“We shall soon come up with a law to throw a protective ring of 8 km radius around Batadrava Than (holy spot alongside a satra or monastery). The land within this zone will be conserved for khilonjia (indigenous people) only,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said at a programme marking the 575th birth anniversary of the saint-reformer on Sunday.
“People who have lived for at least a 100 years will be able to buy and sell land in the area,” said CM Sarma.
“We have also decided to develop and beautify a total of 21 places where Srimanta Sankaradeva stayed even for a night during his spiritual journey. A modern namghar (prayer hall) will be built in these places and a 15-day circuit will touch these 21 places,” CM Sarma said.
Meanwhile, the Assam chief minister has directed the Nagaon district commissioner (DC) to restrict sale of land around the Batadrava Than to “non-indigenous” people.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a law in this regard will be tabled in the state’s assembly by February next year.
On December 25, 2020, Home Minister Amit Shah, laid the foundation stone of a ₹22 crore project to develop and beautify Batadrava. The project entails a park, an auditorium, and a tourist guesthouse.
Freeing land belonging to Batadrava Than and 912 others from alleged encroachment by migrant Muslims is a BJP poll promise.
