By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Following the public debate organised by the Shillong Press Club on the theme, “Festivities on Sunday?”, which became a one-sided affair as those opposed to festivities on Sunday did not attend, the Shillong Khasi Jaintia Church Leaders Forum (SKJCLF) clarified that the Forum is not against the State’s Autumn Festival, but only wished to emphasise that Sunday is maintained as a sacred and holy day by Christians.
The Forum said that the Autumn Festival ought to be celebrated in a spirit of peace and community participation and that it should be free from disruptions or disturbances as the Festival is aimed at promoting peace and harmony in the State.
Meanwhile, some social thinkers have felt that the MTDF should not have dragged the church into the public debate on the issue as a section of church leaders were only expressing their views on the Autumn Festival and the desirability that it not be held on a Sunday.
They said that the church did not impose a ban of any kind on the festivities.
These thinkers said what was more undemocratic are the attempts of a particular social organisation which asked the MTDF to call off the Sunday festivities.
Umiam Dorbar give go ahead for Autumn Festival
The Umiam Dorbar Shnong has given its green signal to the MTDF for holding of the Shillong Autumn Festival on Sunday, but with a rider that the whole area should be alcohol free on that day. In a statement issued late on Wednesday night, Umiam Dorbar Rangbah Shnong S Kharbtep said that the Dorbar would not tolerate any indecent behaviour, use of indecent languages and any other form of public nuisance by those attending the Festival.
“We would take stern action against anyone who will disrespect the directive laid down by the Dorbar Shnong,” Kharbtep said.
It may be mentioned that the Umiam Dorbar Shnong took the decision following their meeting with members of the MTDF on Wednesday.