‘But not with ulterior Namastes’

Naga Hoho’s firm and clear statement expressing its resentment against Governor P B Acharya’s alleged derogatory comment on the Northeast is commendable. The role of P B Acharya was questioned by certain groups even in Assam. The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has termed the activities of the Governor as “lowering the sanctity and dignity of the office of the highest constitutional authority” of a state. The APCC has even drawn the attention of the President of India to ‘restrain’ the Governor. One notable allegation was that P B Acharya “works to saffronize” education. According to APCC, P B Acharya has recently nominated 10 members to the Court of Dibrugarh University in the capacity as chancellor of the university.However, contrary to the established norms that these persons should have strong academic and good social reputation, at least four of these nominated members do not have any such background except that they all have RSS background. The Governor was also accused of working for a particular political party. “Like on June 20, Acharya while addressing a public rally in Silchar said that during the 60 years of Congress rule in India, the party had exploited and looted the country more than the Mughals and British during their rule in our country,” the memorandum of the APCC pointed out.“The derogatory statements against a 129-year-old political party, one of the oldest political parties in the world are not only an insult to the martyrs and champions of the freedom movement in our country. The APCC condemns such unwanted, irresponsible and politically motivated statements of governor,” the APCC memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee mentioned. Hundreds of Congress workers also held a demonstration in front of Raj Bhavan in Guwahati and shouted slogans against the Governor on June 23. On March 26, according to Naga Hoho, Governor P B Acharya delivering a lecture at Mayapur Temple, West Bengal had made ‘uncalled for hate speech’ while stating, “There are some states where Krishna name cannot be taken. It’s a forbidden place, in our own country. If you say, ‘Hare Krishna Hare Krishna’ you will be punished. Such places are also there in the Northeast. Let us change this mindset and take the Krishna philosophy to all the corners of the Northeast and club the eight states with one name Namaste.” The Naga Hoho has retorted that it has no problem to ‘humble and genuine Namaste but not with ulterior Namastes.’