The controversy over religious worship at the Mawjymbuin cave in Mawsynram has escalated following a threat from the Assam-based Kutumba Suraksha Parishad (KSP) to disrupt road connectivity between Assam and Meghalaya unless the ban on Hindu worship at the site is lifted.
The KSP has given a 10-day ultimatum, sparking concerns about regional and communal tensions.
In response, cabinet minister Rakkam Sangma today urged people to practise their faith at home, adding that worshipping at Mawsynram is not the only way to connect with God. He highlighted the importance of respecting local sentiments while condemning the KSP’s threats as inappropriate. “Religion is meant to promote peace and harmony. Such demands contradict that principle,” Sangma stated.
The issue dates back to a decision by the Mawsynram village council that banned worship and rituals at the cave after a Hindu group announced plans to organise a pilgrimage there in August. The cave features a prominent stalagmite that is in keeping with the shape of a Shiva lingam, which is important in Hinduism, and many Hindus had visited the site over the years.
However, after the Yatra Society planned a pilgrimage there, the village council took the step to ban religious worship at the cave. Several arguments in favour of this included that the move would cut the number of tourists who visited to more manageable levels and that a natural environmental tourist site was morphing into a religious one.
The decision, however, angered the KSP, which warned of blockades affecting Meghalaya residents travelling to Assam.
The Yatra Society, a registered Hindu organisation, then filed a writ petition in the Meghalaya High Court challenging the village council’s refusal to permit the pilgrimage. In response, the High Court directed the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills to form a committee to mediate and propose a resolution acceptable to all stakeholders.
As tensions rise, both sides await the outcome of the High Court’s directive, which aims to balance religious freedom with respect for local traditions and harmony between the two states.
