NONGPOH/SHILLONG, Sep 27: Members of various organisations gathered at the Umroi Airport on Friday to protest the planned visit of Jyotirmath Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand, the leader of the Gau Gathbandhan, to Shillong as part of his “Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra”.
The organisations included the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO), and leaders of the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong of Ri-Bhoi district.
The protest followed news reports that the Hindu religious leader planned to fly in on Friday to purportedly lead a public campaign against the consumption of beef and promote the cow as a mother figure.
HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem told reporters that the organisation would not allow outsiders to dictate or interfere with the way of life of the Hynniewtrep people. He emphasized that the Hynniewtrep community deeply respects and honours mothers but does not equate them with cows or other animals.
He said the HYC would oppose any attempt by the Hindu religious groups to impose their beliefs on the people and lecture them on what or what not to consume. “The Constitution of India has given the community the right to live according to their traditions and beliefs, and they intend to exercise that right as long as they reside in their homeland,” he added.
Synrem sought to know if the authorities of the Ri-Bhoi and East Khasi Hills districts had permitted the Hindu group to conduct its yatra. He warned that the district administration, the chief minister, and the state cabinet would be held responsible for any unrest if they did not prevent the event.
The KSU’s North Khasi Hills District general secretary, James Hitler Mawphniang said the organization stands firm in protecting the rights and way of life of the Khasi-Jaintia people. He opposed any external force attempting to interfere with the traditional lifestyle of the Hynniewtrep people, affirming the KSU’s commitment to preserving the freedom to live by their ancient customs.
Mawphniang warned that the KSU would continue to resist any attempt by external groups to mislead the local population and said they would be steadfast against the proposed visit, regardless of the circumstances.
The HITO’s Shillong City general secretary, Balajied Jyrwa and the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong Ri-Bhoi district general secretary, PB Sylliang also opposed the Hindu group’s agenda. They criticized the attempt to disrupt the peace and harmony of the state by promoting the cow as a mother figure, which contradicts the lifestyle and beliefs of the indigenous people.
Jyrwa said local officials confirmed that the Hindu leader’s visit was postponed to Saturday. He revealed that the district authorities assured the protestors that the Hindu leader would not be permitted to set foot at Umroi Airport.
Despite the assurance from the magistrates, the protesting groups announced that they would return to the airport on Saturday to prevent the Shankaracharya from visiting Shillong.
The FKJGP and Khasi Jaintia Butchers’ Welfare Association (KJBWA) on Friday submitted a joint representation to the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, RM Kurbah to oppose the Gau Dhwaj Sthapna Bharat Yatra.
FKJGP president Dundee C Khongsit said they made their point very clear to the DC that the rally to ban cow slaughter and consumption of beef must not be allowed.
“We fear that this proposed rally could create communal tension. We do not want any interference in our food habits by the religious group,” he said, adding that 80% of the state’s population consumes beef.
“We will not tolerate any effort to infringe upon our traditional practices and culture,” he added.
The KJBWA president, Generous Warlarpih said they are also against the propaganda of the Hindu religious group to ban beef and to declare cow as the “mother of the nation”.
“The DC said she will not be able to comment as no one has sought permission for any rally,” he said.
Warlarpih said the proposed rally is a direct attack on the livelihood of the butchers who have been catering to the indigenous people’s need for beef since time immemorial. He urged the butchers and meat sellers to protest at Umroi Airport on Saturday.
“Our profession is lawful and we operate within the bounds of the Constitution of India,” he said.
“Furthermore, a ban will worsen Meghalaya’s already dire employment situation, where job opportunities are scarce, leading to an increase in unemployment and economic hardship, negatively impacting the local economy, and compromising the well-being of our families and communities,” Warlarpih said.
The Synjuk Nongsynshar Shnong ka Bri u Hynniewtrep (SNSBH) requested the DC not to grant permission for the cow protection rally.
In a letter to the DC, SNSBH general secretary, RL Blah said the move by the right wing organisation is uncalled for and may provoke unwanted situations.
“It appears to us that the majority entity intends to impose terms over us that are not acceptable at any cost,” Blah added.
