By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 22: The Mahadev Khola Dham Welfare Trust has alleged a violation of the Hindu community’s constitutional rights following an order issued by the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, directing the closure of a shop selling puja materials during Diwali.
The Trust described the action as unconstitutional, arbitrary, and taken without notice or verification, asserting that it infringes on the fundamental freedoms guaranteed under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution.
In its statement, the Trust said the closure order (No. EKH/ZTF/LO/Lumdiengjri/Stretch V1/2025/15 dated October 21, 2025) contradicted the earlier permission (granted under Memo No. ZFT/LO/Lumdiengjri/Stretch V1/2025/12 dated October 15, 2025), which had allowed the shop to operate for the festival.
The withdrawal of that approval without citing any violation amounted to a denial of the right to freely profess, practise, and manage religion, the Trust said.
The Trust pointed out that Mahadev Khola Dham has been a place of worship for over a century, serving as a vital spiritual and cultural centre for the Hindu community in Meghalaya. It said the latest order appeared to follow external pressure, noting that it came immediately after an objection was raised by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Laban circle on October 18.
The Trust also objected to the deputy commissioner’s direction requiring a trading licence from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), stating that the Mahadev Khola Dham area does not fall under KHADC’s commercial jurisdiction and that such a requirement was legally unfounded.
It further clarified that all temple and shop activities at the site are conducted peacefully and solely for religious purposes, with no commercial motive involved.
Urging the deputy commissioner to withdraw the October 21 order and reaffirm the earlier permission for the sale of Puja materials during Diwali, the Trust also sought a clarification of jurisdictional authority to prevent future administrative confusion.
The Trust appealed to the authorities to uphold the secular fabric of the constitution and safeguard the century-old religious and cultural heritage of the Hindu community in Shillong.
