Visitors will not be allowed to pour milk, burn incense sticks, offer flowers or chant ritualistic slogans inside the cave
SHILLONG, Jan 3: The raging controversy over the Mawjymbuin cave issue seems to have eased for now with the Assam-based Kutumba Suraksha Parishad (KSP) agreeing to the standard operating procedures issued by the Mawsynram Dorbar Shnong to be followed by visitors to the cave.
The SOPs state that while visitors and tourists are welcome to the cave, they will not be allowed to pour milk, burn incense sticks, offer flowers or chant ritualistic slogans inside the cave.
The consensus came with its fair share of drama as conflicting statements emerged from a meeting convened by East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, RM Kurbah on Friday with various stakeholders according to the directive of the High Court of Meghalaya.
The KSP claimed there is no ban on worshipping inside the cave. The Mawsynram Dorbar Shnong reiterated that they will not allow any attempt to convert the cave into a place of worship.
Expressing happiness over the deliberations in the meeting, KSP president Satya Ranjan Borah said they have been told in the meeting that there is no “ban” on worshipping inside the cave.
He said there is a need to follow some SOPs which will not affect the natural beauty of the cave.
“We also understand that the cave is a sensitive environment spot and there should not be any kind of external applications to the place. There should not be any kind of noise,” he said.
Bora said that according to the Dorbar Shnong, the cave is open 365 days a year for everyone. “We can go and offer our prayers inside the cave. But we will not be allowed to burn diyas inside the cave,” he added.
The KSP president also claimed there is an assurance that there will be a special arrangement during the holy month of Shravan.
“We accept the SOPs which were proposed. We have also given our suggestions in the meeting,” he said.
Borah said they have faith in the Meghalaya government and the district administration to do the right thing.
“We will wait for a few days to see the steps taken by the government to address our concerns before deciding on our future course of action,” he said.
Stating that there is a misperception about a threat from the Hindu fundamentalist group, he said they had threatened to block the roads of Assam and Meghalaya if the ban on worship inside the cave is not withdrawn.
The Mawsynram Rangbah Shnong, Hiamdor Rapsang reiterated that they will not succumb to any pressure and they will not allow conversion of the cave into a place of worship since it is a designated tourist spot.
He said they have never allowed performing of rituals inside the cave. “Our stand has not changed,” he said.
He, however, said everyone is welcome to visit the cave since it is open throughout the year.
The Mawsynram Rangbah Shnong said there were instances in the past where people conducted rituals inside the cave without the knowledge of the Dorbar Shnong.
Rapsang said some people poured milk, burned incense, and placed flowers inside the cave, which dirtied the entire place.
“Now, we have deployed volunteers to ensure that visitors comply with the SOPs issued by the Dorbar Shnong. People can read these SOPs when they enter the cave,” he said.
He warned that if anyone violates the rules, the Dorbar Shnong will take legal action.
Meanwhile, the Central Puja Committee (CPC) said the discussions in the meeting indicated two organisations – Seng Khasi Hima Mawsynram and Meghalaya Indigenous Minorities Tribal Forum – misguided the KSP regarding the ban on prayers, etc.
“The Dorbar Shnong of Mawsynram stated they have not stopped anyone and all devotees are allowed subject to following certain guidelines and SOPs placed at the entrance of the cave,” CPC president Naba Bhattacharjee said.
He said the DC placed a letter of the Seng Khasi’s central body which specifically states that two individuals representing both the above organisations have been removed a long time ago. The court case and threat of blockade, etc., were thus uncalled for.
He said the entire issue appears to have taken shape due to miscommunication and trust deficit.
The CPC president said the KSP then placed a letter requesting the CM of Meghalaya to intervene.
“In the said letter, the KSP has assured to follow the guidelines similar to the SOPs framed by Mawsynram Dorbar Shnong,” Bhattacharjee said.
“It was also placed before the Mawsynram Dorbar that during the yatra in the month of Shravan, the CPC being the apex coordinating body is ready to facilitate the yatra. The Mawsynram Dorbar agreed in principle to allow the yatra under certain conditions and SOPs laid down to which the KSP agreed,” he said.
Stating that the DC also agreed to the CPC’s suggestion, he said they discussed the matter with a four-member committee of the Mawsynram Dorbar.
“Both sides agreed to a mutually agreed settlement based on discussions held,” the CPC president said.
The district administration will come up with a list of do’s and don’ts on Monday with regard to entry into the cave.