Guwahati: Amid alleged vandalism in the name of religion in Nalbari district,a strong and controversial statement by writer and president of Kutumba Surakshya Parishad Satya Ranjan Borah on Friday has triggered intense discussion across social and cultural circles in Assam, particularly regarding religious practice, cultural identity, and the evolving social fabric of Majuli.
In a sharply worded post, Borah questioned what he described as the growing visibility of churches and Christmas celebrations across Majuli, while simultaneously accusing sections of the Vaishnavite monastic leadership (Satradhikars) and social elites of failing to uphold and genuinely understand the philosophical foundations of Srimanta Sankardeva’s Ek Saran Naam Dharma.
Borah argued that society cannot consistently shift the blame for cultural erosion onto external forces and asserted that internal intellectual and spiritual decline bears equal, if not greater, responsibility.
He alleged that society has repeatedly marginalised Sankardeva’s ideals of unity, spiritual depth, and humanism, drawing a historical parallel to the saint’s exile from various parts of Assam during his lifetime.
Borah further claimed that Assamese society continues to sideline Sankardeva’s philosophy even today, including in Majuli, which is widely regarded as the heartland of Neo-Vaishnavite culture.
In his remarks, Borah stated that while Christianity reached Majuli through repentance and missionary effort after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Assamese society, despite historically driving Sankardeva away multiple times, has failed to develop a comparable sense of introspection or collective remorse.
According to him, this absence of self-criticism has resulted in a gradual detachment from Sankardeva’s teachings.
Borah also criticised what he described as “selective secularism,” arguing that society encourages public celebrations of festivals like Christmas and Eid while often dismissing discussions on Sanatan philosophy and Hindu spiritual traditions as outdated or irrelevant. He questioned the contemporary definition of religious neutrality and suggested that convenience, rather than conviction, increasingly shapes cultural identity.
Anticipating backlash, Borah acknowledged that his views might invite criticism or personal attacks but maintained that confronting uncomfortable truths was necessary for meaningful social discourse. He concluded with a sarcastic yet pointed reflection on Assamese identity, questioning whether modern Assamese society has become detached from its own intellectual and spiritual roots.
The statement has since drawn mixed reactions, with supporters calling it a bold critique of cultural hypocrisy, while critics have labelled it divisive and inflammatory. Religious institutions and community leaders in Majuli have not yet issued any official response.