The prestigious Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra was established in Guwahati with the intention of preserving the indigenous art, culture and heritage of Assam.
The coveted Kalakshetra is expected to be a centre for research and deliberations on issues related to exploring, furthering, preservation and conservation of indigenous art, cultural tradition and rich heritage of Assam.
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However, this magnificent cultural institute which was established as part of the historic Assam Accord has lately turned into a political hub.
The cultural complex has witnessed hosting of several political programmes in recent times.
The Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra is hosting the third political conclave of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), a platform of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its nine regional alliance parties of the Northeast on Sunday.
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BJP national president Amit Shah is attending the meet.
Prior to Sunday’s programme, several other programmes organized by the ruling BJP in the State Government were also held in the cultural complex.
Even the alliance party in the State Government, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) had organized few of its party programmes in the coveted auditorium of the cultural complex.
Concerned circles have raised questions as to how far it is justified to hold political programmes at a complex meant for only art and cultural activities.
Sharing his views with Northeast Now, All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) advisor, Dr Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya said it is not at all acceptable that political programmes are held in Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra.
“This is completely against the very motive behind establishing the cultural complex,” he opined.
The AASU advisor further added that there are several other places where political programmes can be organized sparing the Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra.
However, noted litterateur Anuradha Sarma Pujari had a different opinion.
“The Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra hosts programmes on art and culture and also national level seminars time to time. When there is no such scheduled programme, its no harm in letting out the complex for other programmes which will generate some extra revenue to be utilized in the development of the cultural complex,” she said.
Speaking on the same vein, president of Asom Jatiyabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), Palash Changmai, said that earning some extra revenue will prove to be beneficial for the Kalakshetra, however, giving priority to art and culture.