Assam CM defends move to create indigenous faith department

Preaching and professional management system of mainstream religions have threatened tribal beliefs and cultural practices, he says

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday defended the State government’s move to create a department for preserving indigenous faiths that were “fading away” due to “preaching and professional management systems” of mainstream religions. Replying to a Zero Hour notice in the State Assembly regarding the creation of the department, the Chief Minister said time, modernity and global religious communities had taken a toll on tribal cultures, practices, languages, livelihoods and faiths in Assam. “The mandate of the new department to be put under the joint control of the directorates of Archaeology, Museum and History and Antiquarian Studies will be to interact with the tribal people, study the folklores, customs and practices for ensuring these are not forgotten,” he said.