This morning's Asomiya Pratidin newspaper has front-paged a disturbing news. Some group has been illegally constructing a 'Ram-Janki' temple within the historic Shiva Doul (or Sivadoul) at Sibsagar, which is protected by ASI. How did it happen under ASI's watch? @ASIGoI 
Assam does not have a Ram-Sita temple tradition; only in the Bhaonas are Ramayana episodes enacted. As the report also suggests and is palpable to any local reader, this clandestine operation is possibly the handiwork of some Hindutva group from outside Assam.
Sibsagar locals chased out the workers and stopped the construction work. They have also given an ultimatum of 24 hours to raze this illegal structure. It is shocking that something like this could happen in a protected monument.
Hinduism in Assam is different from the rest of the country. This attempt to impose alien religious traditions on Assam and change the way we reach out to our gods is not only shameful and condemnable but it is also deeply worrying as it will also affect the social fabric
Temples in Assam don't disallow Dalits or people from other faiths from entering or partaking the bhog offered to the gods. Hinduism in Assam is far more open and accommodating. It needs to be rescued from this influx of Hindutva. I am already seeing dangerous signs.
