Shillong, Apr 17: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has taken a strong stand against any initiatives aimed at developing Mawjymbuin Cave in Meghalaya’s Mawsynram region as a religious or pilgrimage site.
This statement comes in reaction to a newspaper report suggesting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is considering the development of the cave under central schemes, notably Prashad and Swadesh Darshan 2.0.
The VPP said that Mawjymbuin Cave should be preserved strictly as a natural tourist destination. The party expressed concerns over any attempts to project or interpret the cave as a site of religious significance, indicating that such actions could provoke unnecessary controversies.
“The VPP would like to categorically state that Mawvjymbuin Cave is purely a natural tourist destination and must remain so.” VPP spokesperson Airpeace W Rani said.
Pointing out that the issue is not new as it has sparked considerable public debate and even legal interventions in the past, the VPP stressed the need to safeguard Mawjymbuin Cave from religious associations.
“At this juncture, the VPP urges all concerned authorities and stakeholders to exercise restraint and responsibility. We must respect the feelings of the people and avoid unnecessary controversies that may lead to division and unrest,” the VPP said.
