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At
this axial period, as in other parts of India, so also in Assam,
several socially conscious individuals came together, formed
organizations and embarked on a programme of reform. Thus, while
literarly stalwarts like Lakshminath Bezbararoah fought the
social evils through the pen on the intellectual front, at the
grass-roots level, numerous organizations like Prarthana Sabha,
Jnanamalini Sabha etc held study circles, Kirtana-ghosha
reading sessions, religious seminars etc in every nook
and corner of the State. Audrey Cantlie who surveys the period
in The Assamese, writes, " The reform sects
of the 1930s can be viewed as a transformation of the traditional
religious systems to meet the requirements of citizenship in
a modem democratic state." In their view, the original
message of Sankaradeve has been corrupted in the course of transmission
so that it no longer corresponds to the religion of the founder.
And therefore, "the reform sects seek, on the basis of
his (Sankaradeva's) writings, to abolish caste and introduce
widespread social reforms."
But although many organizations had sprung
up, the necessity of an umbrella organization which would
unite all these into one body was increasingly felt. In order
to fill this void, the Srimanta Sankaradeva Sangha came into
existence.This became possible when two persons, Ramakanta
Muktiar and Haladhar Bhuyan came together at Nagaon in the
year 1928 and formed a small 'publicity centre' at a place
called Palasoni near Nagaon town with the active support of
the Jnanamalini Sabha. This centre was named as ' Sankara
Sangha' in 1930. Attracted by its ideology, all those scattered
units which had been engaged in reform activities since 1909-10
now came together under its umbrella and the reform activity
gathered momentum. Eminent scholars and intellectuals of the
period such as Gopika Ballabh Goswami, Dambarudhar Baruah,
Bhuban Chandra Bhuyan, Rameswar Barooah and many others led
the Sangha in its initial years.
The formation of the Sangha had a massive
impact all over Assam. It had to face stiff resistance from
the protagonists of orthodoxy and many public debates were
organized in different places of Nagaon, Kamrup, Sivasagar,
Jorhat and Golaghat districts. There was a marathon debate
for long 23 days in Barpeta. The Sangha registered impressive
victories in these debates. Much of the credit behind the
success of the Sangha during those early years goes to Haladhar
Bhuyan who was an excellent organizer and prime strategist.
In one public meeting held at Suwalkuchi, he placed Rs 2000
in a bundle on the stage and announced it as a reward for
anybody who could prove Sankaradev's religion as implemented
by the Sangha to be contrary to the Hindu sastras.
Although there were many scholars assembled on that occasion,
nobody dared to come forward.
As a result to these victories, the credibility
and popularity of the Sangha increased by leaps and bounds.
The first ever state level committee of the Sangha was formed
on February 4, 1934 in Sankaradeva Mandir premises of Nagaon
town. The fourth conference held in 1935 was presided over
by Nilamani Phukan, the great litterateur, as Padadhikar.
As per his suggestion, the name of the organization was changed
to 'Sri Sri Sankaradeva Sangha'. Later, this name was
changd yet again in the North Lakhimpur session of the Sangha
(1970), when it became 'Srimanta Sankaradeva Sangha'. From
the very beginning, the Sangha received the support and goodwill
of a wide cross-section of society in Assam. Enlightened Satradhikars
like Pitambar Deva Goswami (Garmur Satra), Tirthanath Goswami
(Dhalar Satra), Gahan Chandra Goswami (Nikamul Satra) and
others presided over the annual sessions of the Sangha. The
Sahityarathi if Assam Lakshminath Bezbaroah sent his best
wishes to the Sangha in a message that was read out in the
1933 session. Many other intellectual giants also joined the
Sangha. The Silver Jubilee Session in 1956 was presided over
by eminent scholar Dimbeswar Neog as Padadhikar. A new thinking
was infused into the Sangha and emphasis was given on opening
of separate wings for the growth and nourishment of Sankari
literature and culture. Bishnu Prasad Rabha inaugurated the
cultural function of this session.
The headquarter of the Sangha was established
in Kalongpar, Nagaon on July 27, 1969. A cultural centre
was established at Guwahati in 1985. The cultural wing of
the Sangha was started in 1957 followed by the formation of
a literary wing. It has, over the years, published many important
books and monographs, chief among which are the complete works
of Srimanta Sankaradeva and Madhavadeva, the 12 Cantos of
the Sri-mad-Bhiagavata and the English translation
of the Kirttana.
But the primary focus of the Sangha remains
the propagation of the pure creed of Sankaradeva at the grass-roots
level, putting an end to all class and caste distinctions
along with other obscurantist practices and of course, putting
and end to the religious distortion of the Vaisnava faith.These
are the ideals which drive the Sangha as it tries to build
a robust and healthy society in Assam.
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