Guwahati, Jan 3: The row over Hindu rituals at Mawjymbuin Cave in Mawsynram, Meghalaya, was resolved during a joint meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in East Khasi Hills, Shillong, on Friday.
Representatives of the Kutumba Suraksha Parishad (KSP) and Dorbar Shnong Hima Mawsynram participated in the discussion to address the conflict. The issue stemmed from a ban imposed by the Mawsynram Dorbar Shnong, a traditional village institution, in August last, which prohibited Hindu worshippers from performing rituals at the cave housing an ancient Shivalinga.
In the meeting, the Dorbar Shnong clarified that worship at the cave is no longer banned. They announced that the cave would remain open for devotees every day of the year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., subject to certain procedures being followed.
The Dorbar Shnong also expressed willingness to make necessary arrangements for devotees during the auspicious month of Shravan. KSP president Satya Ranjan Borah described the meeting as “healthy and constructive,” noting that the issue had been amicably resolved.
“To address environmental concerns, the KSP agreed to prohibit the use of smoke-generating items inside the cave,” Borah said. A 16-member KSP delegation travelled to Shillong to participate in the talks. This resolution is expected to restore harmony and facilitate religious practices while respecting the cave’s ecological integritycave’s ecological integrity.
In the meeting, Borah highlighted the organization’s commitment to promoting national integrity and social harmony as per the constitutional provisions under Article 51(A) of the Indian Constitution. This dedication, he stated, was the reason for KSP’s involvement in the Mawjymbuin Cave issue.
Borah revealed that the organization was approached by two groups: Seng Khasi Hima Mawsynram and the Meghalaya Indigenous Minorities Tribal Forum (MIMTF). “Representatives of Seng Khasi Hima Mawsynram visited our head office in Guwahati to seek support for reclaiming their constitutional right to worship at the Mawjymbuin Cave Shivalinga. We engaged with MIMTF through telephonic discussions,” he said.
He emphasized that KSP’s role in the matter was purely to safeguard constitutional rights and had no self-serving motives. Borah expressed gratitude to the Meghalaya government and the East Khasi Hills district administration for organizing the meeting and demonstrating a willingness to resolve the dispute.
He also affirmed KSP’s trust in the agreement reached during the meeting, which allows worship at the Mawjymbuin Cave Shivalinga, and assured continued vigilance to ensure the resolution is upheld.
Additionally, KSP submitted a letter to the Meghalaya Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills. The letter outlined the organization’s motives for involvement and included suggestions for enhancing the cave’s significance in the national context. Borah reiterated KSP’s hope and patience in achieving a resolution that serves the greater national interest.
