Guwahati, December 27, 2025: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma sparked controversy on Saturday by asserting that there was no historical meeting between Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Shankardev and Sufi poet Ajan Fakir, emphasising “Shankar-Madhav” over the popular “Shankar-Ajan” narrative of cultural harmony.
Addressing the second day of the BJP’s state executive meeting at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati, Sarma declared, “In Assam, there was Shankar-Madhav, not Shankar-Ajan. There was no meeting between Shankardev and Ajan Fakir.
He accused “leftists” and others of fabricating syncretic narratives to “weaken” Assamese identity and the “battle of civilisation.” Sarma highlighted the pairing of Shankardev with his chief disciple Madhavdev, rejecting links with Ajan Fakir.
The CM extended his critique to history, calling Bagh Hazarika—a Muslim warrior often credited alongside Ahom general Lachit Borphukan in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat—a “fictional character.” He questioned, “Does anyone think that without a fictional character like Bagh Hazarika, Lachit Borphukan would not have been able to defeat the Mughals?
Sarma argued such stories were “strategically instilled” in minds, with no mention in Ahom chronicles (Buranjis). He urged viewing Lachit as a “world-conquering hero” who single-handedly defeated the Mughals.
Criticising theories dividing indigenous and migrant communities, Sarma said, “Those coming from Bangladesh are our friends, and the Bengali person who serves with us during Durga Puja is our enemy. What kind of theory is this? This is nothing but a conspiracy.
The impassioned speech comes amid BJP’s preparations for upcoming elections, reaffirming focus on Assamese pride and cultural heritage. Sarma’s remarks echo past debates on historical figures, potentially reigniting discussions on Assam’s syncretic traditions versus assertions of distinct indigenous narratives.
