Can offer prayers inside but rituals should be outside cave, says KSP
Shillong, Jan 4: The simmering tension and controversy over “ban” on Hindu rituals inside Mawjymbuin cave at Mawsynram appears to have finally ended with the agitating Assam based Hindu organisation Kutumba Surakshya Parishad (KSP) agreeing to follow the Standard Operating Procedures laid down by Mawsynram dorbar, and clarifying that there had been “confusion” over worship inside the cave.
A KSP delegation, which had been demanding Hindu rituals inside the cave and even threatened road blockade against Meghalaya, took part in a meeting convened by East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner RM Kurbah with traditional heads of the dorbar shnong of Mawsynram here on Friday.
“The deputy commissioner and the representatives from the Dorbar Shnong Hima Mawsynram made it clear that there is no ban on worshiping at the Shivling in Mawjymbuin Cave and it will be opened for the devotes for 365 days from morning 9 AM to 5 PM evening following certain procedures,” claimed KSP president Satya Ranjan Borah in a statement issued after speaking to reporters in Shillong.
Expressing satisfaction over the outcome of the meeting, the KSP said, “They (dorbar) also agreed to make some significant arrangements, if required for the devotees during the time of Shravan (month).”
From the Dorbar side, Assistant Rangbah Shnong Hiamdor Rapsang said, “Since the beginning and till date, we don’t allow any group to come and perform religious rituals inside the cave.”
He, however, made it clear that there is no ban on any individual of any faith in visiting the cave.
The cave is a tourist spot and every visitor must be respected and hence it cannot be turned into a Hindu temple, he said.
Rapsang said individuals or groups may visit the cave, but they must respect the rules laid down by the Dorbar Shnong. “Worshipping inside the cave or converting it into a mandir or temple is strictly prohibited, as the cave is a tourist spot. We must respect all visitors who come to explore the cave,” he emphasised.
Earlier, KSP president Borah termed the stand-off as “confusion” over worship by devotees.
“What we meant by worship is offer prayer to the almighty. We say Bhagwan, Eshwar, Almighty, Allah, but at the end of the day it is the One. I can go there, sit and close my eyes and offer prayers, that is worship, nothing to do with lighting of diyas or agarbattis. Ritual is not a core component. If any ritual is required, that can be done outside the cave. That they (Dorbar) have accepted,” stated KSP president Borah.
The KSP has agreed to follow the Dorbar Shnong rules inside the cave of not allowing rituals such as incense burning inside.
“Considering the environmental circumstances, any kind of smoke generating items will not be allowed inside the cave and that is agreed upon by the stakeholders including the representatives of Kutumba Surakshya Parishad,” KSP said.
“Anyone can go there 365 days from 9 am to 5 pm, but they have to maintain some standard operating procedures (SOPs)…we do accept those SOPs…” the KSP president said while addressing the media after the meeting.
Asserting that there is no ban on worshipping, he said, “Worshipping means we sit there and say our prayers and that can be done anytime anywhere.”
Admitting that it was a case of misunderstanding, he said, “There is no threat from Hindu groups. People have misinterpreted it. Yes, we say about the blocking of roads if the ban is not withdrawn, but they say there is no ban.”
“We believe in the leadership of Meghalaya’s district administration and we will wait and watch in the coming days and that will define our next course of action.”
Meanwhile, the KSP in its statement, claimed that it had no self-interest on the issue of worshipping inside Mawjymbuin cave.
“We were approached by Seng Khasi Hima Mawsynram (SKHM) and Meghalaya Indigenous Minorities Tribal Forum (MIMTF),” it said.
It also claimed that representatives of SKHM had visited the KSP office in Guwahati to seek support towards “getting back the constitutional right to worship” in the shivling inside Mawjymbuin cave.
“We also had telephonic conversation with the members of MIMTF,” it said.
Assuring that the KSP had no vested interest in the issue, it said, “We are thankful to the government of Meghalaya and East Khasi Hills district administration for organising the meeting and expressing their intention to solve the dispute.”
Referring to the stakeholders’ agreement on worship at the cave (while following SOP), the KSP said, “We are hopeful and will have to keep our patience for the greater interest of the nation.”
The KSP also submitted a letter to Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma through the deputy commissioner stating its “motive behind involvement” in the issue and offered suggestions to make the cave more significant in the national context.
“We are pleased and honoured that the stakeholders agreed to our suggestions and accept them,” he added.
Church not for Jai Shree Ram
Reacting to the recent incident of a social media influencer making a video of chanting “Jai Shree Ram” inside a church at Mawlyngnong, the KSP president said, “Church is not for ‘Jai Shree Ram’.”
Urging people to respect every religion, Borah said, “Everyone has to respect every faith, every religion, every caste and community.”
“They have to respect the church and the church also has to respect the mandirs…respect is both ways… it cannot be done one way,” he said.
