Editor,
The letter ‘Standing Up for the Cause’ (ST Dec 22, 2012). by Rev K Pyrtuh and ZM Sawkmie has generated great interest and discussion among church members on the interest and involvement of the Presbyterian Church in the RTI movement. What has now been a well kept (open) secret, is being shared for the first time with the public. We are glad to know that the church has at last brought in the RTI as part of its theological teachings. It is encouraging to learn that trainee pastors are now trained to, ‘meticulously and cautiously read, analyse and understand piles of file notes, documents, letters, emails etc availed under the RTI Law before we share the information with the public’ and that there is now thinking in the church about ‘coverage of the RTI Law to aspects which so far are still considered as grey areas such as religious institutions and NGOs’. It is no secret that many of the congregation would like to know more on how our offerings and contributions every Sunday are being used, and also about how the grants from MLA Schemes and others to religious institutions are managed and used. This is a big grey area with many rumours of misuse of church funds but nothing is ever made public. The two young pastors have now decided to take the bull by the horns and challenge this grey area. Hats off to them! The latest rumour is about a mistake made in paying a huge amount to a wrong person in one of the Synods and the money is yet to be recovered. Yes the ordinary church members would like to know how to find out their contributions to the mission and the church are used and if the RTI is the way then full support to our two pastors. A chapter on RTI needs to be introduced in the Sunday School textbook, but only from senior class and above and it is wished that the two pastors spearhead such a move. Transparency and accountability in our religious institutions is urgently required. The two young pastors have shown how to do it as they live up to their motto ‘Standing Up for the Cause’. RTI into the management of church funds (after all, it is public money too) needs to be encouraged and it seems the KJP has entrusted this pioneering work to these two young pastors. Then, it could be that other churches and Christian mission organisations would also follow suit. Rev Pyrtuh and Rev Sawkmie best wishes into your noble venture.
Yours etc.,
Daphishisha Khardewsaw
Shillong – 8
Why MLCU?
Editor,
I fail to understand the hype around Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU). While most people don’t see any problem, including students and parents, the only busybodies are the pastors who filed the RTI over and over again. Why are these pastors targeting MLCU only, when there are also so many universities in Meghalaya? MLCU is a young and growing University. It will have its shortcomings like all other institutions. But for every little shortcoming of MLCU, things are blown out of proportion by the so called men of God. I have visited the University and find it being run by dynamic and qualified individuals. I have met students who passed out of this University and doing their higher studies in JNU or DU or even London Metropolitan University. Also there are many students who are working with the different departments of Government of Meghalaya and Government of India. RTI is an Act which can be exercised by everyone including pastors, but sadly these few pastors have used it only against MLCU. Why don’t they file RTI against other Universities as well such as NEHU, Sikkim Manipal or even their own institutions like the Gordon Roberts Hospital, Synod College, Nabon College, KJP School, Mawkhar Christian School etc.? I am sure they will find shortcomings in these institutions too. But why MLCU always? Is it jealousy, grudge or church politics? I think it’s all three. I agree with Kong Patricia Mukhim that this is church politics. Church politics is dirtier than real politics. Jealousy among pastors is very high. Some pastors even approached a particular politician about targeting MLCU, but when he disagreed with them because he found nothing against the University, they started entering the homes of their brethren (parabangeit) and canvassing against him. What a shame! There was even an incident where a church elder (Tymmen Basan) who is with the pastors, delivered a sermon at 1 pm on a Sunday service using the pulpit as a platform to target MLCU. I am sure this letter one day will be targeted by either a Tymmen Basan or a Pastor who will use the pulpit as a platform to do so. Frankly, I don’t care. And interestingly, these same pastors who filed the RTI, are usually very busy during admission times and times of recruitment of staff at MLCU. The truth is that these pastors try to dictate matters in whatever the University does especially during admission and recruitment of faculty members (when it was under KJPA) believing that the University belongs to them since they are the church ministers of Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Assembly (KJPA), but when the higher authorities of MLCU refused to bow down before them, this led to the ignition of this problem and hence the grudge till today. The men of God should have solved the problems of MLCU when it was under KJPA, instead of creating more problems. Now it is not anymore under KJPA, so let’s leave this University alone, move on with our own jobs, stop this nonsense and last but not the least, let’s have a grudge free, jealousy free and politics free New Year.
Yours etc.,
M Lyngwa,
Via email