Rakkam asked to avoid politicising religion, lay focus on bettering quality of education in Meghalaya
SHILLONG, Jan 3: In the wake of Education Minister Rakkam Sangma announcing that the state government is preparing for a massive prayer service to consecrate the Captain Williamson Sangma State University, Shillong-based Niamtre students, under the banner of the Sein Niamtre Ki Khynnah Purae Shillong, have come down heavily on the former, while asking him to avoid politicising religion and focus on improving the quality of education in Meghalaya.
In a statement issued on Friday, the organisation criticised the minister’s claim that Meghalaya is a Christian state, describing it as contradictory to the constitutional framework of India.
Citing landmark judgments by the Supreme Court to back their contention, the students’ body said, “Through court rulings, in Kesavananda vs State of Kerala (AIR 1973 SC 1461) and in Indira vs Raj Narain (AIR 1975 SC 2299), the Supreme Court has observed that by secularism, it meant that the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on the grounds of religion only and that the State shall have no religion of its own.”
Suggesting the education minister to refrain from making such “ridiculous statements” and to cease politicising religion, the organisation asserted that no one could legally claim Meghalaya to be a Christian state.
“The Association urges the Honourable Minister of Education to focus on providing quality education in schools and colleges across the state and to develop a sense of dignity, self-respect, and self-reliance among students of Meghalaya and also ensure timely disbursement of scholarships,” it said.
It may be mentioned that on Thursday, the education minister had revealed that the Meghalaya government was preparing for a massive prayer service to consecrate the Captain Williamson Sangma State University on January 13.
“On May 28, 2023, (the new) Parliament was consecrated by Hindu rituals. As a Christian state, we want to consecrate the first state university with a massive prayer meet,” Sangma said, adding, “If Parliament can be blessed with Hindu rituals, why not Christian rituals in a Christian state?”