By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 4: The Thma U Rangli-Juki (TUR) has strongly objected to Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma’s statement regarding the consecration of the State University — Capt. Williamson Sangma University — describing it as a “fundamentalist” stance. It also called for collective efforts to uphold and defend India’s constitutional values.
The controversy arose after the Education minister announced that Meghalaya’s first government-established State University would be consecrated through an exclusively Christian prayer service, citing that Meghalaya is a “Christian state.”
In its statement, TUR clarified, “First, while Meghalaya may have a majority Christian population, this does not make it a Christian state. Second, according to the Indian Constitution, the state and its institutions are secular and must maintain equidistance from all religious groups. Rakkam’s statement is a direct violation of the constitutional principle of secularism.”
TUR further argued that publicly funded institutions like Capt. Williamson Sangma University must remain free from religious influences to ensure the provision of equitable, fair, and quality education for all.
Highlighting Meghalaya’s diverse religious landscape, including indigenous faiths like Songsarek, Niamtre, and Niam Khasi, TUR stated, “The Minister’s statement blatantly disregards and creates discriminatory conditions for citizens who follow other religions in Meghalaya.”
Drawing parallels to the actions of the BJP-led government at the Union level, TUR pointed out the Hindu religious rituals conducted during the inauguration of the new Parliament building. It criticized the BJP for blurring the lines between religion and state institutions but stressed that this does not justify fostering “competing religious fundamentalism,” as Sangma appears to be doing.
TUR reminded the minister of his constitutional oath to protect India’s secular values and stated, “His statement is not only toxic but also a betrayal of the constitutional principles he is sworn to uphold.”
The group called for the immediate cancellation of the planned religious service and demanded that Sangma retract his “discriminatory statement.”