India, Jan. 21 -- With the 2026 Assam Assembly elections approaching, a sharp political fight has broken out over how the state's cultural identity should be defined. The debate has placed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Indian National Congress on opposite sides.

The controversy centres on two expressions; 'Sankar-Azan' and 'Sankar-Madhav'. Congress leaders describe Assam as the land of 'Sankar-Azan' pointing to harmony between Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardev and Sufi saint Ajan Fakir. The BJP, however, insists Assam's identity is rooted in 'Sankar-Madhav' highlighting Sankardev and his disciple Madhavdev and the Vaishnavite tradition.

The issue came into the spotlight on December 27, 2025, when Congress MP an...