SHILLONG: Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu, which is a harvest festival and marks the end of harvesting, was observed in Shillong in a traditional fervor and amidst a strong opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
The protests against CAA has now taken a different shape as organisations spearheading the stir have appealed to the people of the state to burn copies of the Act at ‘juhal’ or fireplaces inside homes and also while setting fire to ‘bhela ghor’ and ‘meji’- the temporary structures made of bamboo, hay and straw in paddy fields – to show their opposition to the legislation.
In Shillong too, Assamese community gathered at Sankardev Kristi Kendra at Bishnupur to celebrate Bihu where they opposed the CAA and burnt copies of the controversial Act in meji fire. Speaking to media persons, Sunit Phukan, a retired scientist of ICAR, said the protests against CAA would continue till Centre withdraws it.
Despite the political unrest within Assam and some parts of Meghalaya, Magh Bihu was celebrated in the best spirits on Tuesday.
While it is the spirit of bhog or feasting that rules this yearly rendezvous in the month of Magh (January), Bihu also necessarily has quite a few ritualistic traditions associated with it.
Community feasting and community worship are both an integral part of the celebrations. Bihu celebrations are ubiquitous with pitha, pona, laru and a host of other delicacies.
