SHILLONG, July 18: In a rare show of political consensus, leaders from the AITC and BJP have demanded a secular administration of government premises in Meghalaya, asserting that public offices must remain zones of service rather than centres of worship.
The demand follows a growing controversy over a temple recently constructed inside the CBI office campus at Mawdiangdiang.
AITC Meghalaya president Charles Pyngrope stated that government offices, whether under central or state jurisdiction, are secular institutions and should not house churches, temples, mosques, or any other dedicated places of worship.
“Government offices are not religious institutions. Therefore, putting a church, temple, or masjid inside any government office should not be allowed,” Pyngrope told reporters.
Questioning the logic of the structure at the CBI campus, he asked: “Can we have a church inside the Main Secretariat premises? These are places meant for service to the people and not for worshipping God.” He added that religious activities should be confined to recognised religious institutions.
Pyngrope’s remarks echo the stance of BJP MLA Alexander Laloo Hek, who recently opposed the construction of religious structures within government office campuses.
Hek argued that government offices are already “places of worship” in the sense that employees are expected to serve the public with honesty, integrity, and dedication.
“There is no need to build a temple, church, mosque, or gurdwara within government offices. Such premises are meant for public service and should not be used for any specific religious purpose,” Hek said.
While maintaining that government employees are free to practice their faith at home or in their respective places of worship, Hek insisted that both central and state government land should be reserved exclusively for official work.
The shared stance of the two rival parties highlights a growing concern over the sanctity of public land as administrative hubs expand into the “New Shillong” area of Mawdiangdiang.
