Sridhar Checkanidhara was very pleased to see Congress leader Rahul Gandhi make his maiden visit to Majuli, the seat of neo-Vaishnavite culture established by saint-reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva that has a cultural and spiritual influence on the people of the state.

During the second day of his Assam leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Rahul navigated the Brahmaputra using a ferry on Friday morning to reach the island. The atmosphere surrounding the Yatra has taken on an assertive tone, with Congress leaders criticising the BJP-led state government. Allegations abound that the state government is deliberately obstructing their “journey for justice” aimed to address the concerns of all sections of the populace.

Rahul reached Auniati Satra, one of the state’s most revered monasteries, established in 1663 by Ahom king Jayaddhaja Singha, but not before changing into a dhoti. After a half-an-hour talk with the Satra leadership alongside fellow party members, Rahul expressed contentment regarding his visit. He emphasised the value of gaining a profound understanding of the cultural heritage of Sankardeva’s Assam, which “teaches us about moving together in life”.

The visit was a part of the Yatra’s cultural outreach. Majuli is an important centre for Satriya arts and culture, a part of the state’s cultural heritage. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted the significance of the visit to Auniati Satra as a “very important part of our country’s wonderfully diverse cultural and religious history”.

The significance of the visit did not escape Sridhar, 58, who has been supporting his family for 21 years by selling diyas to devotees at the Auniati Satra entrance.

Bhadreswar Bora, 64, who has been associated with the Satra since the age of six, also felt the impact.

“I am happy to see him in person. I hope he achieves his goal of bringing change in the life of people like me, who just survive,” Sridhar said, adding that the BJP had a very strong presence in the river island. The Congress has lost the Majuli Assembly seat twice to the BJP since 2016, the first time to Sarbananda Sonowal, who went on to become the chief minister, a victory which reflected the deep inroads the BJP-RSS has made in the island.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had campaigned for Sonowal in Majuli, promising protection for the island from erosion and improved communication by building the Jorhat-Majuli bridge, which is still a work in progress.

Bora hailed the visit by a “big leader”.

“We are happy because we hope his visit benefits the Satra and the people of the island,” Bora said. There are about 30 satras in Majuli.

Before reaching Majuli, Rahul interacted with two ferry staffers — Pratap Das, 27, and Deepak Das, 35. “We conveyed to him the potential impact theupcoming Jorhat-Majuli bridge would have on those reliant on the ferry service. People would naturally opt for the more convenient road bridge. We appealed to him to address the concerns of those in similar circumstances and take action in their favour,” Pratap said.

Congress leaders, led by Rahul, hit out at chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma by branding him the “most corrupt chief minister” in the country. “We have been denied permission to stage short padyatras despite applying for permission through the proper channel, meeting the CS and the DGP. But BJP president J.P. Nadda was allowed to stage a roadshow in the heart of Guwahati,” Assam PCC president Bhupen Borah said.

“We have to arrange for private fields for our stay or meetings. An FIR was lodged against one key person associated with Rahulji for violation of traffic rules in Jorhat town. There has been difficulty getting petrol in Majuli since yesterday, so the turnout is less. Not extending courtesy to those who have come from outside is against our culture. The CM is threatening us with FIRs and arrest but we will not back off. We are ready to go to jail,” Borah said.