SHILLONG: Reactions continue to pour in against the Centre’s decision to hold Digi Dhan Mela on April 14, Good Friday.
With protests from various quarters including Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, Tura MP Conrad Sangma and a request by State BJP, the Centre on Thursday finally deferred the meet.
On Thursday, the UDP president Donkupar Roy also sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention into the matter.“I would request that such an important celebration should be fixed on a date that does not coincide with any important auspicious days of the various faiths that blesses our great country”, Roy said in the letter.
The HSPDP has also criticized the decision of the NDA.
In a statement to the media, the chairman of the media cell of the party, Londoner Sohtun has opposed the decision showing disregard to the day marked as sacred by the Christians.
He added that the move of the BJP is to trample upon the rights of the minorities.
Former minister and the BJP member J.A Lyngdoh, however, welcomed the Centre’s decision to defer the Digi Dhan Mela to some other day.
Advocate Erwin K. Sutnga, while appreciating the stand taken by NPP leader Conrad Sangma, protested against the Centre and said that if required he would seek appropriate legal remedy even from the highest Court of the land to rectify the situation and protect all rights violated.
Rev. PBM Basaiawmoit thanked the chief minister for deciding not to hold Digi Dhan Mela on Good Friday and expressed his displeasure over the Centre scheduling the programme coinciding with Good Friday. Synod of the Church of North India had also asked the Prime Minister to defer the date considering religious sentiments.
Meghalaya Youth Foundation has also written to the Prime Minister in this regard. The Meghalaya Peoples Human Rights Council has also criticised the controversial move by the Centre to hold Digital India Day observances on Good Friday.
The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya said it was no surprise as the directive to observe Digital India Day on Good Friday by the BJP led government at the Centre is reflective in the BJP Manifesto 2014.
