Guwahati, March 21: The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) has invited leaders of at least 16 students' organisations for a convention in Assam's Golaghat district on March 31, to chalk out a plan of action against the BJP and the RSS's alleged bid to add communal colour to the state's secular culture.

The KMSS had also campaigned against the BJP ahead of last year's Assembly polls.

"By linking everything with Hindutva, the BJP and RSS are out to destroy the secular fabric and unity among various communities in our state. The BJP is projecting Lachit Borphukan as a Hindu hero but not mentioning that his close aide, Bagh Hazarika, was a Muslim. They fought together against the Mughals to protect the secular Assamese community. Assamese people have never lived as Hindus, Muslims or Christians. Our identity is Assamese. The BJP is luring student leaders and adding Hindutva elements to our secular culture," KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi said.

"We have invited several intellectuals and student leaders to discuss this growing threat and decide how to launch a joint movement to save our unique secular fabric," he said.

The three-day convention from March 31 to April 2 will be held at Tengani in Golaghat district, from where KMSS was launched in 2002.

Student leaders belonging to the Moran, Muttock, Tai Ahom, Mising, Sootea, Sonowal Kachari, tea tribes, Gorkhas, Deori, Rabha, Dimasa, Goria Moria, and Tiwa communities have been invited to the convention.

A round-table conference on threats posed by communalism and fascism to liberalism and regionalism has also been planned.

Author Jyotirmoy Jana, Dibrugarh University lecturer Chandan Sarma, Gauhati University professor Akhil Ranjan Dutta, IIT Guwahati professor Arup Jyoti Saikia, and Gauhati High Court advocate Shantanu Borthakur are likely to take part.

"The convention will showcase the colourful culture of various ethnic communities irrespective of religion. Each household in Tengani has agreed to donate Rs 200, rice and vegetables for the convention as its purpose is to save the secular Assamese community," Akhil said.

The KMSS yesterday demanded the withdrawal of the word " namami" from Namami Brahmaputra Festival, to be held from March 31, saying it was an attempt by the BJP government to add RSS and Hindutva elements to the festival.

Anand Prakash Tiwari, the managing director of Assam State Transport Corporation, who is associated with Namami Brahmaputra Festival, today said namami, a Sanskrit word meaning namaskar (obeisance) was an expression of gratitude and reverence to the mighty son of the Brahma (Brahmaputra).