'Jayanta Mallah Vs Ashok Sarma'--The Hari Mandir Controversy In Nalbari

A fresh controversy has erupted in Assam’s Nalbari district surrounding the management of the historic Shri Shri Hari Mandir, with former MLA and ex-president of the temple committee Ashok Sarma alleging a political conspiracy behind his recent expulsion. Sarma has directly accused Assam Cabinet Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah of misusing administrative influence to seize control of the temple committee and oust dissenting voices.

Speaking to media on Monday, Ashok Sarma alleged that Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah was never legally eligible to become the president of the Hari Mandir committee, stating that he was not a life member at the time of his election — a basic requirement as per the temple’s constitution.

“He never followed due process. He was not even a life member when he became president. The district administration was used to manipulate the entire election. I had filed my nomination for the post of president, but mysteriously, my name appeared under the general secretary category,” Sarma claimed.

He further alleged that his expulsion — along with four others including senior member Nagen Deka — was politically motivated and part of a larger vendetta. “This is revenge for my stand during the cattle theft controversy (Gir Cow Controversy). It’s a conspiracy to silence me using sycophants within the committee,” Sarma said. He also dismissed the expulsion as “unconstitutional,” arguing that it violated the temple committee’s rules.

In response, Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah denied having any personal role in the decision. “The decision to expel them was taken in the presence of more than 1,000 members. I had nothing to do with it,” the minister stated. He added that Sarma and others were given the opportunity to defend themselves but failed to do so.

“They were given a platform to explain their position. But they chose to remain silent. Moreover, they haven’t submitted any accounts related to the five-year revolving loan scheme under their responsibility. There was no financial transparency,” Baruah said.

On the political undertones of the controversy, the minister remarked, “I had no intention of politicizing the matter. But the people insisted that the decision be made public, and it was done accordingly.”

The incident has stirred a debate across Nalbari, with many questioning the politicization of religious institutions and the role of administrative authorities in temple management. While supporters of Sarma view the expulsion as a politically engineered ousting, allies of the minister claim the move was necessary for accountability and reform.

As of now, the Nalbari district administration has not issued an official statement on the allegations of electoral manipulation or procedural lapses in the expulsion process.

The political and spiritual significance of Shri Shri Hari Mandir, one of the most prominent temples in Lower Assam, makes the unfolding events particularly sensitive. With both camps sticking to their positions, the issue is likely to gain further traction in the coming days.

Also Read: Jayanta Mallabaruah’s Property Boom: How a Minister Amassed Crores in Two Years