Row over museum shifting
1 Nov 2007, 0337 hrs IST,
Bashi Kant Choudhary,TNN

SAHARSA: In an unexpected move, the Bihar government has decided to
close the Karu Khirhari divisional museum established in the Koshi
divisional headquarter here in 2004.

It has finally decided to shift all the antiquities preserved here to
Patna. The government's decision has evoked wide resentment among
local people who have launched a unique cultural agitation to protest
against the alleged "anti-culture move" of the state government.

Quite a large number of folk singers (locally known as Bhagaitiyas)
have started round-the-clock bhajans and "bhagaits" of Karu Baba
(worshipped as folk god in Koshi region) on the main gate of the
museum on Matsyagandha campus here from Wednesday.

They have decided to fight the alleged "Tuglaqui" order of the Bihar
government. Mukesh Kumar Singh and Anil Kumar Yadav, the two cultural
activists associated with Baba Karu Khirhari Vichaar Manch, told
mediapersons that "bhagait" singing would continue till the government
order is revoked.

"The museum, named after Karu Baba, is a symbol of our religious and
cultural identity and we will not allow the government to wind it up,"
they added.

According to sources, the state art and culture ministry had issued
orders of winding up the Karu museum about a fortnight ago, but
trouble started when the departmental secretary directed Saharsa DM
Narmadeshwar Lal to make proper security arrangements for the safe
transportation of the antiquities to Patna museum.

The DM on Wednesday confirmed the receipt of such an order, but
refused to divulge details. He said the shifting of antiquities was
felt necessary for the security reasons.