Editor,
I write this not merely as a member of Shillong Club but as a deeply concerned stakeholder in one of the oldest, most prestigious, and historically important institutions in our State. The Shillong Club, once regarded as a bastion of fellowship, culture, and civic leadership, has, over the years, been reduced to a cautionary tale of manipulation, exclusion, and systemic abuse of process. What is unfolding in the name of elections, governance, and administration within the Club is nothing short of a democratic farce — one that demands immediate public scrutiny, investigative reporting, and journalistic intervention.
The Hollow Ritual of Elections : Every two years, members of Shillong Club are summoned to participate in elections to the governing body. In theory, this should be a process embodying fairness, transparency, and the democratic voice of the 800+ members. In practice, however, these elections have degenerated into a carefully orchestrated charade. The same set of individuals, shuffling among themselves, reappear on the governing board — masquerading continuity as renewal, and presenting collusion as consensus.
The introduction of e-voting in place of the earlier physical proxy voting has only cemented this cycle of manipulation. Where once members could rely on the tangible verifiability of proxy votes, the digital system has created a black box — one that is neither independently audited nor subject to checks and balances. The lack of third-party oversight has allowed the entrenched group of directors to engineer outcomes that always fall in their favour, thus converting what should be a transparent process into a sophisticated scam dressed up as democracy.
Members have long whispered their suspicions, but the pattern is now undeniable: each cycle produces identical results, with the same clique retaining power under the guise of legitimacy. This is not coincidence; it is control.
Economics of Control:It is important to understand that the manipulation of elections is not an end in itself. Rather, it is a means to perpetuate financial and administrative control over the vast assets, revenues, and opportunities available within the Shillong Club. Recently, a well-circulated dossier has come to light among members, documenting in detail the misappropriations, irregularities, and questionable practices of the directors.
This dossier, corroborated by internal records, illustrates how the same office-bearers have:
Misused Club funds for personal benefit under the cover of sanctioned expenditures.
Awarded contracts and tenders to favoured entities, often with conflicts of interest.
Manipulated membership admissions to favour associates, while keeping deserving applicants waiting indefinitely.
Diverted resources meant for community and member welfare into projects serving narrow private interests.
Suppressed dissent by monopolising information flow, restricting access to financial records, and intimidating those who question irregularities.
It is no hyperbole to say that the Shillong Club, instead of being a beacon of community leadership, has been reduced to the private fiefdom of a few individuals who use the Club’s reputation as a shield while exploiting its members as pawns.
Legal and Ethical Dimensions : At this juncture, it is vital to frame the matter not simply as a club’s internal squabble, but as an issue that carries broader legal, ethical, and societal implications.
Violation of the Right to Fair Participation: By manipulating the electoral process, the directors are effectively disenfranchising hundreds of members who are entitled to a genuine say in the governance of the institution.
Deficiency of Service under the Consumer Protection Act (2019): Members who pay subscriptions, fees, and levies are legally “consumers” entitled to transparency, fairness, and honest administration. The deliberate distortion of elections and finances constitutes a classic case of deficiency in service and unfair trade practice.
Potential Criminal Liability: Misappropriation of funds, diversion of assets, and fraudulent misrepresentation of electoral results could invite action under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including cheating (Section 420), criminal breach of trust (Section 406), and criminal conspiracy (Section 120B).
Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Directors of any registered society or company owe fiduciary duties of care, loyalty, and accountability. The wilful breach of these obligations is not only unethical but actionable under law.
Impact on Public Confidence: Shillong Club is not just any private body; it is a civic landmark, a symbol of Shillong’s heritage. Its capture by vested interests undermines public confidence in institutions and sets a dangerous precedent of unaccountable governance.
Why This Concerns the Public at Large : One may argue that this is an “internal matter” of the Shillong Club. I submit, respectfully, that it is much more than that. The Shillong Club is an institution whose actions ripple across Shillong’s social, cultural, and economic life. Its governance affects not only its members but also the city’s reputation, tourism, hospitality, and business networks.
When elections are rigged, when transparency is sacrificed, and when financial misappropriation becomes institutionalised, the damage is not confined within Club walls — it erodes the values of fairness and accountability in our broader civic life.
Role of the Press
The press exists to shine the light in places where those in power would prefer darkness. The Shillong Times has, for decades, stood as a sentinel of democracy and public interest in Meghalaya. Today, the Shillong Club represents a story waiting — indeed demanding — to be told. This is a subject of serious investigative reporting. This is not about sensationalism but about restoring credibility to one of our city’s oldest institutions. By highlighting the systemic electoral manipulation, the financial misappropriations, and the democratic deficit within the Club, the press can serve as the conscience-keeper of our community.
Suggested Investigative Angles: In the interest of public service journalism, may I respectfully suggest a few starting points for your reporters:
Audit the e-voting mechanism: Who manages it? Is there an independent third-party auditor? Can results be verified transparently?
Review the financial statements: Compare declared expenditures against the irregularities flagged in the dossier.
Examine conflict of interest patterns in awarding contracts, tenders, or services.
Interview members (including dissenters) to gauge the extent of dissatisfaction with the current regime.
Investigate the history of electoral results to demonstrate the statistical improbability of the same clique winning repeatedly without manipulation.
Contextualise the Shillong Club’s governance against best practices in democratic societies and member-run institutions.
Call for Accountability
The Shillong Club cannot be allowed to remain a closed loop of recycled leadership, sham elections, and financial opacity. Its 800+ members deserve better; the city of Shillong deserves better. It is time that sunlight — the best disinfectant — is allowed to penetrate its opaque structures.
We, the members, are not asking for favours. We are demanding what is rightfully ours: a transparent, fair, and democratic institution that serves its members rather than exploiting them.
Editor, I appeal to you in the strongest possible terms to investigate, report, and editorialise on this issue with the seriousness it merits. A great many of us, though individually powerless against entrenched directors, still believe in the collective power of truth and public accountability.
If The Shillong Times can lend its voice to this cause, it would not only serve justice within the Club but also reaffirm its own historic role as the protector of democratic values in Meghalaya.
We members remain available, to share evidence, records, and testimonies that may aid your investigation. The dossier mentioned above is already in circulation and can serve as a foundational document for further inquiry.
This is an opportunity for the press to remind those who abuse their power that no manipulation, however sophisticated, can withstand the scrutiny of truth when it is courageously told.
Thank you for your time, attention, and commitment to journalism in the public interest.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email
