Won't Accept CAA: 'Bhela Ghar' in Assam's Nagaon Sends Clear Message to Centre

By: Rana Pratap Saikia

Amid the nationwide protests against the amendment of the Citizenship Act, residents of Assam's Nagaon have established that they stand opposed to the Bill-turned-Act through the traditional art of construction of 'bhela ghar'.

With Magh (or Bhogali) Bihu just around the corner (celebrations begin on January 13), residents of Bangthai in Nagaon district of Assam have constructed a large bhelaghar in the shape of the map of the motherland, Assam. The veer Lachit Borphukan, the great Assamese commander who kept the Mughals at bay, can be seen perched atop the splendid structure, that also bears the following message clearly: CAA ami namanu (We won't accept the 'CAA'). The construction is also adorned with beautiful gamusas, the Assamese garment that denotes veneration and also symbolizes oneness with the identity and culture of Assam.

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For the uninitiated, the bhela ghar is a bamboo-and-straw construction made by the Assamese during Bihu time. It is usually where all the fun -- feasting and merrymaking, and grooving to Bihu songs -- takes place. Early in the morning on Bihu, the bhela ghar is set afire, while the people pray for a peaceful and tranquil society.

The picture of this rather unique bhela ghar was shared by the popular Facebook page, খিলঞ্জীয়া ভূমিপুত্ৰ (Indigenous son), to immense response from the denizes of Assam (it has accumulated almost a 1000 shares at the time of filing this report).

Reacting to it, one user wrote, "জ্বলাই নিদিলে সুখী হ'ম" (Will be happy if it is not burnt); another said: "এ মজা,,সকলো খিলঞ্জীয়া ৰাইজলৈ ভোগালী বিহুৰ শুভেচ্ছা জনালোঁ,,জয় আই অসম" (Oh great! Best wishes to all the indigenous people on the occasion of Bhogali Bihu. Glory to mother Assam).

While the festival of Bihu is usually marked by joyousness, the festival will take on a grim avatar this time around, as protests against the Bill-turned-Act continue in several parts of the State, with the indigenous organizations and other pressure groups exhorting the Government to roll back the legislation, which they fear poses a threat to their culture, language, and identity.

Meanwhile, the intellectual class and the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) at the forefront of the agitation against the 'CAA' have exhorted the people to feed the legislation to the flames during the Bihu celebrations.

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