Established by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev during the 16th century, our venerated satras (monasteries) were the nerve centres of the neo-Vaishnavite movement and are a part of our shared heritage. Over the years, these satras have suffered immensely in the hands of a suspected immigrant population through encroachment and land grabbing. Until now.
Ever since Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma took charge, the Government of Assam have launched a coordinated campaign to remove encroachers from the satra lands. Not only that, the Government has given financial assistance of ₹ 2.5 lakh to namghars while forming a three-member committee to monitor instances of satra land encroachment. While all this is being done, the neighbouring State of Sikkim has a policy prescription which Assam, too, can draw from.
Sikkim has a department to look into and control the affairs of various religious institutions: Ecclesiastical Affairs Department. One of the most respected departments of the State, it controls the external affairs of monasteries, mandirs and other religious institutions in the State. The Department does not interfere in the internal affairs/ functioning of the religious institutions and organisations, particularly matters relating to religious protocols and ritual traditions. It also looks after Sikkim’s religious centres at Darjeeling, Bodhgaya and Sarnath, while preserving sacred hot springs, caves, holy lakes and places of pilgrimage in the State. Currently, the Department is headed by Minister Mr Sonam Lama.
Late last year, the Department decided to revive the revered 233-year-old tradition of Khamsel after a gap of nine years. Khamsel is a triennial exhibition of ancient Buddhist and Tibetan relics dating back to 7th century AD. Held from November 23 to 26, the event saw participation of more than 6,000 devotees across Sikkim and Bhutan.
