The BJP-led coalition government in Assam has purchased biographies of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyaya worth ₹1.6 crore after coming to power in May 2016.
Replying to a question by Congress MLA Debabrata Saikia in the 126-member Assembly on Wednesday, Cultural Affairs Minister Keshab Mahanta said the government bought 4,000 copies of the 15-volume Hindi biography for libraries across the State. The total number of books works out to 60,000. The Directorate of Libraries spent ₹1.6 crore for the purchase on the advice of Cultural Affairs Department, he added.
Delhi-based publisher
The biography has been brought out by a Delhi-based publisher, the Minister said.
“We have not purchased biographies of any iconic person other than Deen Dayal Upadhyaya,” Mr. Mahanta, who represents the BJP’s regional ally Asom Gana Parishad, said.
The AGP, ironically, has been vocal about the BJP’s bid to “impose” anything related to RSS and Hindutva on the “people of Assam”. The party had opposed the Sarbananda Sonowal government’s decision to name 12 new colleges in the State after Deen Dayal Upadhyaya in August last year.
