We celebrate the secular culture, secular fabric of our nation by ensuring that equal opportunity and equal respect is given to all faiths and all religions.
– Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister
Shillong, Nov 5: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has defended the support to a gospel concert, saying the government is not promoting any religion but supporting people and being part of their celebrations in a secular manner.
“We are not promoting any religion, but the faith of the people that is there when they celebrate it is something that they believe in,” he said.
Terming it an event of the society, he said, “We are just part of the celebration. We are supporting the community and the society. We don’t choose. Whoever comes to us, we support.”
The pre-Christmas concert organised by KJP Assembly will be held on December 12.
He informed about how he had promised to support to the Presbyterian Church and the Baptist Church in their respective events.
“I said please go ahead, we will support you,” he said.
He also informed about his support to the Bihari community when they approached him to seek government’s support to 100 years of Chhath Puja.”
“Let us understand as a government we are not here to promote or support any religion. We are here to support our people. We are here to support and be part of their celebrations and it is only proper for the government to do that in a neutral manner,” he added.
The Chief Minister said the same approach is followed for all faiths.
“We have done that for every programme – whether Durga Puja takes place all MLAs support, we support as a government in different ways and that is how we celebrate the secular culture, secular fabric of our nation by ensuring that equal opportunity and equal respect is given to all faiths and all religions,” he said.
He said it was with this belief that the government decided to support the churches’ musical concert.
Sangma also said he has directed that programmes under Meghalayan Age be held daily at the Meghalayan Age Pavilion for tourists, including gospel songs on Sundays.
“I told them that there should be a Meghalayan Age programme everyday because our tourists are there. One of my officials told me Sir except Sunday. I said why except Sunday, we can have gospel songs on Sundays… just this Sunday there were two-three of our young artists who sang gospel songs out there…we are a secular nation as we say and obviously we respect all,” he said.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the District School Education Office cum Multilevel Car Park at Mawkhar & Multilevel Car Park at Motphran in presence of deputy chief minister in-charge urban affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar.
