Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday launched a financial assistance scheme for 'Udasin Bhakats', providing monthly support of 1,500 to celibate Vaishnavite monks associated with Satras across the state.
Even as the Satra authority earlier in the day asserted that Rahul was not prevented from entering the Satra, Gogoi said he had intelligence inputs regarding some vested interests' intention not to allow Rahul in the Satra.
Rahul Gandhi claimed that he was stopped from entering a temple in Barpeta by RSS workers during his recent visit to Assam.
The court had deferred for Saturday its decision whether to issue summons against the Congress vice president as an "accused" in the criminal defamation case in Guwahati.
'These cases are filed against me to prevent me from working for the weaker and deprived sections of the country.'
Sarma also claimed that marriages of minors were registered by the Kazis earlier, but the proposed bill will prohibit any such move.
The drive met with opposition in Tinsukia in upper Assam leading to lathicharge by the security forces, while in Sonitpur the alleged illegal settlers claimed that it was launched about a week before the stipulated date.
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