Shillong, May 11: Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has drawn sharp criticism for allegedly trying to “creep in” to destroy the traditional dorbar system with “street-level party politics”.
“We will not be embroiled in street-level party politics or whatever party politics you may call,” said Paiem Laborious Manik S Syiem, Advisor to Synjuk ki khlieh Nongsynshar Hima Sohra, on Monday.
Responding to Basaiawmoit’s recent public meeting at Mawlai, Syiem said the group’s fight is to safeguard the five-tier dorbar system, not to score political points.
“Our struggle is dedicated to ensuring that party politics does not creep in to destroy the five sacred pillars of our traditional dorbar system,” he said.
He identified the pillars as Dorbar Iing, Dorbar Kur, Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid, and Dorbar Hima, noting they “have survived the test of time and centuries” and are the “ultimate binding force for Ki Khun Ki Ksiew Hynniew Trep Hynniew Basa.”
Syiem said the Synjuk would not permit external interference in customary practices. “We stand resolute in our fight to uphold and protect these sacred traditions against any authority that seeks to replace our systems,” he stated.
“If our customs and traditions die, our very existence is called into question.” He said the group marched to the KHADC on May 7 to protest what it called an injustice.
“The Dorbar Khlieh ki Nongsynshar Hima Sohra bad ki khun ki hajar stood against the injustice perpetrated by the KHADC against the traditional essence of electing a Syiem by the Hima Sohra,” Syiem said.
“We marched to the District Council to demand that this injustice be rectified immediately.”
He faulted Basaiawmoit for politicising the matter.
“While we sought redress from the appropriate authorities, it is a pathetic state of affairs that you chose to frame this as a party issue during your political hate speech at Mawlai,” he said.
“My job is never to prove I am right, my job is to keep the light on until ‘ki khun ki hajar ka ri 30 Syiem 12 doloi’ find the right path,” Syiem added.
Calling himself a descendant of the “kur syiem,” he said he carried the duty to protect and uphold the customs and traditions that bind our people together.
“Bah Ardent, in your chase of a political chair, you seem willing to trample on the very essence of the five-tier Dorbar system that ensures our survival,” he said.
“You have scandalized the innocent and honest demand of ‘ki khun ki hajar of Hima sohra’ to have the Syiem they chose according to the custom and religious rites of Hima Sohra.”
Syiem rejected the charge that the people who approached the KHADC were politically affiliated.
“You branded these innocent people as NPP sympathizers, failing to see that their binding force is not party politics, but a love for the time-tested traditions inherited from their forefathers,” he said.
He questioned Basaiawmoit’s intervention, stating, “They went to the KHADC to demand a certificate of confirmation, a duty the District Council is bound to perform. You are an MLA, not an MDC; your role is in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. Why interfere here?”
Denying any party links, Syiem said, “It is very sad that you branded the innocent people of Hima Sohra as NPP supporters. Also, at the same time you insinuate that I am an NPP member. Let me make it clear to you, one and all that I am not so.”
“My conviction is to always stand up to any injustice done to anyone and in any form,” he said.
“I ask you to correct this statement and desist from making such statements henceforth, for if you do not do so, remember ‘ha ka hok ka shi kyntien, ka jingiler bad ka jingthok kan sa bishar bad kyrtoh kylla’ meaning ‘In the truth of one word, deceit and betrayal will be judged and will turn back on you’.”
