Assam CM unveils Chaolung Siu-ka-pha statue, asks Congress's definition of ‘New Bor Axom’

The Ahom community on Saturday observed its sacred religious festival Me-Dam-Me-Phi, commemorating ancestors with traditional rituals and prayers across Assam. Marking the occasion, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled the statue of Chaolung Siu-ka-pha, the founder of the Ahom kingdom, at Notboma Siu-ka-pha Nagar, Hatigaon in Guwahati.

Alongside the unveiling ceremony, Me-Dam-Me-Phi rituals and prayers were performed in keeping with age-old traditions. As in previous years, the festival was organised by the Greater Guwahati Me-Dam-Me-Phi Celebration Committee, drawing participation from various sections of society.

Addressing the media on the sidelines of the programme, the Chief Minister launched a sharp attack on the Congress over its use of the term “New Bor Axom” (big united Assam). Questioning the intent behind the phrase, Sarma said, “What is this ‘New Bor Axom’ that the Congress is talking about? Was the Assam created by Chaolung Sukapha not good enough for them?”

Sarma claimed that he noticed the phrase written on the wall of the Manabendra Sarma Complex while on his way to the Me-Dam-Me-Phi celebrations at Sukapha Nagar, terming it “very dangerous”. He alleged that the Congress’s idea of a “New Bor Axom” includs illegal Bangladeshis, which, he said, is unacceptable to the people of Assam.

“For us, ‘Bor Axom’ means the Assam created by Chaolung Siu-ka-pha 600 years ago. But for Congress, ‘New Bor Axom’ includes Bangladeshis. This should not be acceptable to any Assamese,” the Chief Minister said. Emphasising his stance, Sarma added, “We want the Bor Axom created by Sukapha. We don’t need a ‘New Bor Axom’.”

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