On January 22, authorities barred Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from visiting the Bordowa Satra, the birthplace of 17th-century saint Srimanta Sankardeva in Assam’s Nagaon. Along with other Congress leaders, Gandhi was halted at Haiboragaon in Nagaon district, where he intended to pay a visit to the Vaishnavite monastery before commencing the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
Despite a law and order crisis, Gandhi expressed his frustration, stating, “During a law and order crisis, all can go to the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva, but only Rahul Gandhi cannot go.” He highlighted the inconsistency, noting that while others were allowed, he faced restrictions. MP Gaurav Gogoi and Batadrava MLA Sibamoni Bora tried to resolve the issue.
Upon their return, Rahul Gandhi, emphasizing his belief in Sankardeva’s philosophy of unity, mentioned, “He is like a guru to us and gives us direction. So I had thought when I came to Assam, I should offer my respects to him.” Gandhi expressed confusion over being initially invited on January 11 and later informed of a purported law and order situation.
A dharna, led by Mahila Congress leaders, protested the denial of permission for Gandhi’s temple visit, with the former Congress chief joining in. Authorities eventually granted permission for Gandhi to visit the temple at 3 pm. Gandhi questioned the rationale behind the delay, asking, “Will PM Modi now decide who will visit a temple and when?”
Security measures, a substantial police presence, and road blockades were in place around the satra. Except for the local MP and MLA, no Congress leader, including the media team, was allowed beyond Haiborgaon. Congress Sewa Dal chief Lalji Desai criticized the Prime Minister and Assam Chief Minister, calling it “shameful” and claiming they were restricting their right to pray. Desai remarked, “There is no ‘loktantra’ (democracy) here, and the government will decide when people will pray at temples.”
