Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Chief Executive Member Pyniaid Sing Syiem today said that the Assam-based organisation stands in contempt of court for issuing a threat against the ban on Hindu worship at Mawjymbuin cave.
Replying to a zero hour notice during the winter session of the KHADC today, Syiem said the district council stands in support with the Mawsynram dorbar shnong to ban worship and rituals at the cave.
The Kutumba Suraksha Parishad (KSP) has threatened 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.
The KHADC CEM said the issue of religious ceremonies at Mawjymbuin cave is still under the Meghalaya High Court and the Deputy Commissioner’s office was directed to set up a Committee to resolve the matter.
“The KSP’s threat is a contempt of court and this is illegal because their threat could cause tension between the people of Meghalaya and Assam if the road is blocked,” he told the House.
The CEM also urged the State government to take note of the threat and to ensure security so that the people will not be affected by such a threat.
Opposition Leader Titosstarwell Chyne said the district council should write to the Home Ministry on the threat. He said it is directed not only to the State government but also to the dorbar shnong and Hima of Mawsynram, KHADC and the citizens.
He said that the district council, which is the protector of the land, should take responsibility to take action. “We must strongly condemn this threat of the Hindu group. We must make it clear that the cave is located in an area which is still under the Sixth Schedule and is protected and maintained by the dorbar shnong Mawsynram,” Chyne said.
Pointing out that India is a secular country he said, “I am not against any religious practice but the cave is not a place of worship and there is no evidence that shows religious practice is being carried out for thousands of years as claimed by the group.”
It may be mentioned that 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 in August. 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.
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.
