Editor,
Through this letter I would like to draw the attention of the readers in regards to the ongoing traditional institutions of the Khasis or as we call it, the Dorbar Shnong. The Dorbar Shnong has played a very important role in the well being and development of the community for ages. But with time, the Dorbar Shnong has not changed but remained stagnant with its old system of conducting elections. This old system seems to not work in the present society and therefore the community faces many challenges even though many people don’t realise this or are oblivious of this. The process of choosing a Rangbah Shnong is not a proper one and there are many flaws in the election process. There is favouritism and nepotism within the Executive Committee. Many qualified and responsible individuals who wish to contest in the elections may not even get a chance just because they are not part of Executive Committee. The Executive Committee comprises only a few members of the community and in their meeting they elect a candidate as the Rangbah Shnong and later on the people are only made aware of this new Rangbah Shnong in the Dorbar Shnong meeting, after which people have to endorse what the Executive Committee has done. Hence, there is an urgent need to remove this old system and replace it with a better one which is to use secret ballots conducted by an Independent Election Committee etc. for people to exercise their Right to Vote and participate in equal and fair elections.
Another major setback of the Dorbar Shnong is that the tenants who have been residing in that particular locality for many years do not get equal rights to participate in the Dorbar Shnong as permanent residents do. In fact, a Rangbah Shnong is never elected from among the tenants just because they do not have a permanent house in that area. The tenants have to fulfil all procedures of registration, payment of various community welfare fees, take part in community activities like the cleanliness drive and many more. But while they are active members of the community they are denied the right of being equal members of the community in decision making and also they are never consulted about any issues/affairs of the Shnong. This clearly shows the discrimination faced by the tenants, which is unacceptable in today’s modern society.
I am a resident born and brought up in Jaiaw Laitdom and on the July 29, 2017 the Dorbar Shnong of Jaiaw Laitdom was conducted the election for Rangbah Shnong or so they say. The election process was not different from the one mentioned above. The Executive Committee brought forward their elected Rangbah Shnong from among the executive committee members for the people to agree and conform to their decision but this time around it did not happen. In fact the people, especially the youth were outraged and revolted against this old process of conducting elections which has been going on for so many years. The Dorbar Shnong meeting was eventually halted. Till date, the Executive Committee has not come up with any decisions on how to move forward with the election. The people have decided that they want a complete participation in the election with regards to voting and choosing the candidate of their choice irrespective of whether a person belongs to the executive committee or not.
It is ironic that in a democratic country like India where people are given full rights to choose the leaders/representatives of their choice they are being denied this right in the Dorbar Shnong. An intervention should be made from the Hima Mylliem or the KHADC so that such misunderstandings between the people and the Dorbar Shnong can be avoided in the future. In order to curb internal conflicts between the Dorbar Shnong and the people there are two things which should be put into immediate action by the concerned authorities. Firstly, an Independent Election Committee whose members must be from outside the Executive Committee should be set up in the Dorbar Shnong in order for people to participate in free and fair elections in a democratic manner. Secondly, guidelines should be provided about the roles and powers of the Rangbah Shnong because at present people have very little knowledge or no knowledge at all.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request for obvious reasons
Judicial intervention against animal sacrifice
Editor,
The historic Kamakhya temple attracted the wrath of patronizing animal sacrifice in the name of culture, religion and traditions. Animal sacrifice is a part of ‘Durga Puja’ and ‘Navratri’ celebrations in Assam, West Bengal, Odisha and Nepal where slaying of buffalo is carried out for the victory of Durga. The crowds witness animal sacrifices with a lot of excitement. Almost 1000 animals are butchered across Assam during this festival. Jnanpith winner Mamoni Raisom Goswami was deeply religious but never supported any animal sacrifice rituals. No God demands bloodshed. It is illegal and unconstitutional. We need a sustained campaign to educate devotees to have compassion for animals.
As per Indian slaughterhouse rules and FSSAI regulations, no animals can be butchered outside a licensed slaughter house. Also there is Section 428 (killing or maiming animal) in the IPC. The southern and western states of India implement Animals and Birds Sacrifices (Prohibition) Act since the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 does not prohibit animal sacrifice at religious places. It has been completely banned in Uttarakhand since 2011 after strong criticism by Maneka Gandhi for infamous ‘Bhukhal Mela’ in Garhwal. Even Bollywood star Salman Khan is charged with killing endangered species in 1988. Neighbouring Nepal put a ban at ‘Gadhimai festival’ in 2015 where lakhs of animals are sacrificed after international campaign led by British actress Joanna Lumley. Can Assam live up to that expectation? But the irony is that the Supreme Court refused to interfere and stop the century-old traditions of different communities.
Yours etc.
Kamal Baruah
Guwahati