Shillong, AUG 7: A ban on offering of prayers inside a tourism site cave in Mawsynram, which was imposed by local authorities, is now facing a legal challenge after devotees under the banner of a Yatra moved the Meghalaya High Court against the decision.
The Meghalaya High Court, on Wednesday, issued notices to authorities concerned in regards to the non-granting of no-objection certificate (NOC) for conducting the annual pilgrimage to Mawjymbuin cave at Mawsynram in East Khasi Hills District.
The Court has also directed the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills to depute a responsible officer to inform the respondents to be present in court tomorrow.
Hearing a petition filed by the Yatra, Justice HS Thangkhiew in his order said, “Issue notice to the respondents No. 6, 7, & 8.”
“In the considered view of this Court, as the matter is sensitive and deserves urgent consideration and in order to resolve the matter, the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District is directed to depute a responsible Officer to inform the said respondents No. 6, 7, & 8 to be present in Court tomorrow, along with the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills, in person at 2.00pm in the afternoon,” he said.
The Yatra, which is a registered society, filed the petition against the non-grant of a No Objection Certificate by the respondents No. 6, 7 & 8 for conducting the annual pilgrimage to Mawjymbuin Cave situated in Mawsynram which they claimed is revered by Hindus.
S.Jindal, counsel for the petitioner submitted that the annual yatra has been a continuing affair and from 2011 onwards, with the formation of the society it was made more structured and organized.
The counsel has taken this Court to the permissions earlier granted from 2011 onwards, issued by the District Administration till 2023 and submitted that the Dorbar Shnong on all these occasions, have also issued the necessary No Objection Certificate and permission, and that whatsoever conditions that have been prescribed have been strictly followed.
He further submitted that this year, though the first permission had been obtained on 27th June, 2024 from the District Administration with the condition therein that the organisers should obtain a No objection Certificate from the Dorbar Shnong, Mawsynram, inspite of reaching out to the said Dorbar, there was no response and that they only came to know about the rejection of the No Objection Certificate through the media.
He further submitted that there is no attempt whatsoever to establish any place of worship as has been reported and that throughout the years, the only act that has been done is to sprinkle water on the lingam and that there is no intention to hurt the sentiments or create any disturbances whatsoever of the place.
He sought that the Court issue notice at this stage to the District Administration and the private respondents and that appropriate orders be passed thereafter.
