The Shillong Press Club (SPC) has termed the allegations made by the Bramachari Mukundanand, representative of Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranda Saraswati, on the cancellation of the press meet as unfounded and baseless.
“We wish to clarify that the proposed press conference was cancelled by the client (Bramachari Mukundanand) at the eleventh hour, not the Shillong Press Club,” SPC president Deimaia L Siangshai said.
He said the SPC never issues any written approval to hold press conferences. “This is to clarify further that regarding today’s incident, the President of the SPC had personally called up the members of the Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranda Saraswati to inquire about their delay in arriving at the Club and allegations of the SPC rejecting the request by the former to hold a press conference is unfounded and baseless,” he added.
Expressing concern over the incident that happened outside the SPC today where members of the Hynñiewtrep Youth Council and the State Police were seen gathered outside in view of the proposed press conference, Siangshai said, “The presence of the police and NGO leaders and members today undermines the authority and integrity of the Shillong Press Club, to the extent that the Club has been blamed for the cancellation of the proposed press conference.”
The SPC president also said the letter sent by the group had not mentioned the purpose of the press conference.
“The club is an independent and neutral entity where every individual and group, irrespective of race, caste, creed, community, culture, and religion is welcome to hold a press conference on any issue (s),” Siangshai said.
