By Our Reporter
Shillong, Nov 21: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Thursday sought clarification from the CBI, Shillong, regarding a structure within the CBI office campus in New Shillong that appears to resemble a “place of worship”.
HYC members led by its president, Roy Kupar Synrem, met the DIG of CBI at Mawdiangdiang after failing to get a clarification on an earlier complaint submitted by them.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Synrem said that the DIG clarified that there was no place of worship constructed inside the office premises.
According to him, the CBI official explained that the structure was merely a facility meant for relaxation or a meditation centre for staff members residing in the CBI quarters.
He further stated the organisation does not oppose any religion, but government institutions must not display religious practices, as India is a secular country.
Asserting that India is a nation that does not favour any particular religion, he said that if a structure resembling a place of worship is allowed inside the CBI office, it suggests that the office no longer maintains neutrality.
Maintaining that they have no objections if the structure is indeed a meditation centre, Synrem however said that if the CBI or its staff were to convert or use it as a place of worship, the HYC would strongly oppose it.
He further stated that the organisation will continue to closely monitor the matter to ensure there are no future changes.
“We trust that the DIG will uphold his statement. We have made our stand very clear that if the meditation centre is later converted into a place of worship then we will not hesitate to take steps to oppose such a move,” the HYC president added.
