SHILLONG, Sep 26: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday joined the Seng Khasi (indigenous tribal faith) for a prayer at the sanctum sanctorum of the sacred peak – U Lum Sohpetbneng (Navel of the Universe) – for the well-being, growth and prosperity of Ka Mei Ri India (Bharat Mata) and all her citizens.
The prayer was offered by Skor Jala, head priest of Seng Khasi and culminated in rituals unique to the indigenous faith Niam Khasi, with Bhagwat in attendance.
Sanctified rice was distributed and the RSS chief ended the brief solemn occasion by planting a sapling within the sacred precincts.
Seng Khasi is a socio-cultural and religious organisation formed on November 23, 1899 by sixteen young Khasi men to protect, preserve and promote the indigenous way of life and religion of the Khasis.
In the last 123 years, the Seng Khasi has grown to more than 300 branches across the Khasi Hills and continues to endeavour in its cause in bringing pride to the people by strengthening their roots and identity, an RSS source said.
In his brief speech, Bhagwat expressed his profound gratitude at having experienced the holy rituals and said that he would carry forward the sacred message of U Lum Sohpetbneng that the golden bridge that connects Man and God now lives within a golden heart.
The summit of U Lum Sohpetbneng, about 16 km from Shillong, is believed to be the spot where a golden bridge connected man to the heavens.
The RSS said it is believed that 16 families traversed between the two worlds until seven remained on the Earth forever to take care of Mother Earth and to earn righteousness and propagate the truth.
Bhagwat left Shillong for Guwahati on Monday afternoon at the end of his two-day visit to Shillong.
No comment on RSS chief’s personal remark: CM
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday made light of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief, Mohan Bhagwat’s comment that “everyone living in Bharat is a Hindu”. The latter said this at an event in Shillong on Sunday.
“He has the right to say whatever he feels but India is a secular nation, and as a secular nation we all have our right to follow whatever religion we feel like. Therefore, he said those in his capacity as the head of an organisation,” he said.
“I have no comments on his personal views, but the Constitution says we are a secular nation,” the CM said.
The RSS chief had said on Sunday that the Sangh is not working to turn everyone into Hindus since the values of this country’s eternal civilisation are based on Hindutva and everyone is a Hindu by default.
“People are afraid that the Sangh will turn everyone into Hindus. We are not here to convert anyone. We are all from Bharat. To become a Hindu, we need not change anyone; we are already Hindus. We need to live with all sections of people. We are together though we look different,” Bhagwat said while addressing a gathering at the U Soso Tham Auditorium here.
Meanwhile, the Thma U Rangli-Juki (TUR) & KAM Meghalaya has taken strong objection to the statement by the RRS chief that “everyone in India is Hindu.”
“This not only goes against the pluralist traditions of India with diverse faiths but also points to the insidious attempts by the Hindutva eco system to violently turn India into a Hindu Rashtra. Moreover Mr. Bhagwat was speaking in Shillong, Meghalaya where indigenous tribals have never been part of the Hindu caste and religious order. TUR & KAM shall always defend the secular character of the Indian Republic where freedom of religion, faith and culture is celebrated and defended,” TUR & KAM Meghalaya said in a joint statement on Monday.
