In a shocking development, Hindus have been banned from worshipping at a cave in Meghalaya that houses an ancient Shivalinga. Mawsynram Dorbar Shnong, a traditional village institution, has banned Hindu worship at Mawjymbuin Cave located in Mawsynram village in Khasi Hills. The ban has found support from churches and ministers in the government, while Hindu organisations are protesting against it. Mawjymbuin Cave has a natural stone formation of Shiva Lingam which is revered by Hindus.
On 6th August, Kutumba Surakshya Parishad (KSP), held a press conference to mark their protest against Mawsynram Dorbar Shnong’s decision to ban Hindu worship in Mawjymbuin Cave. The decision to ban Hindu prayers has triggered protests by Hindu groups not only in Meghalaya but also in Assam.
The decision to impose a ban came after reports suggested that Hindu devotees were planning to establish a place of worship at the cave. On 1st August, Mawsynram Dorbar Shnong’s executive committee announced that no group would be allowed to develop a place of worship at the cave. The decision came after the Hindu Yatra Pilgrimage group announced their plan to use the site for worship on 10th August and 11th August.
The group had initially requested permission from the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, RM Kurbah, which was refused. Then, they approached the Dorbar Shnong for permission. Dorbar Shnong expressed surprise at the fact that they were being bypassed initially by going directly to the DC.
Contrary to Hindu groups, local student groups Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) South West Khasi Hills District and KSU Lawbah Border Area Circle have supported the decision to ban Hindu prayers at the site. Though the Hindu groups have opposed the ban, Assistant Rangbah Shanong of Mawsynram, Hiamdor Rapsang, said in a statement that the decision was not against the Hindu faith but the aim was to prevent turning a tourist attraction into a public worship place.
Support to ban from student organisations
Student union leaders have issued a joint statement stating they would come out in support of the ban in the form of protests if needed. The statement read, “We will not accept any attempt to use force to establish the place of worship despite opposition from the Mawsynram Dorbar Shnong.” They emphasised the “need to preserve the natural form” of the cave.
Rulling coalition supports the decision to ban Hindu prayers
The ruling National People’s Party endorsed the resolution adopted by the Mawsynram village council to prevent Hindu religious rituals at the Mawjymbuin cave. Party spokesperson HM Shangpliang said, “Every NPP member is with the dorbar in this matter.” He added that the cave cannot be converted into a place of worship.
Meghalaya’s tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh supported the decision to ban worship at the site and highlighted the status of the cave as a tourist attraction that is visited by people of all faiths. He emphasised that if the cave is turned into a place of worship for any community, it would adversely affect tourism. “The decision is logical and reasonable as the cave is a major tourist attraction. Allowing a particular religion to set up a place of worship can harm tourism in the area,” the minister told reporters. “People from across the globe visit Mawjymbuin. A secular country like India cannot promote a place of worship in any tourist destination,” he further added.
The Meghalaya govt is keen to develop the site as a tourist place, not a religious place, the ruling coalition said.
Hindu organisations threaten to protest against the ban on Hindu worship
Responding to the ban, the Kutumba Surakshya Parishad (KSP), a Hindu organisation from Assam, threatened to block roads leading to Meghalaya from Assam if the ban was not lifted. In a press conference, KSP President Sanjay Ranjan Borah said that the organisation has demanded that the Meghalaya government should revoke the ban and make arrangements for Hindu worship during the sacred month of Shravan.
He said, “We need the answer from the Meghalaya state authority. Else, the Meghalaya government will face sincere protest here in Assam; there may be situations like blockage of the roads to Meghalaya via Jorabat (Guwahati); Paikan (Goalpara) and all other roads,” Borah said. He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office to intervene in the matter.
Political and Religious Tensions
Speaking to the media, Borah accused social organisations and Christian missionaries in Meghalaya of hatching a conspiracy to defame and destroy the Hindu faith and culture. He said, “Why cannot the Mawjymbuin Cave be a place of tourism after being a divine worshipping place of Hindus? It’s not a matter of tourism; it is a matter of conspiracy of Christian Missionaries to defame and destroy the Hindu faith and culture in the state of Meghalaya.”
OpIndia talked to Borah to understand the matter further. In a statement, he said, “Mawjymbuin Cave” – consists of a naturally formed “Shiv Ling”; had been a place of worship and sadhana of Hindus lived in Meghalaya. Even, a large number of devotes of Lord Shiva visited the place to perform their Hindu Rituals every year; especially in the month of Shravan. But, in a recent update it has been noticed that a major section of people belong to the Christian Community and some so-called social organizations of Meghalaya ruled by the Christian Missionaries; imposed a Ban on Hindu Worship over there. Is this a Joke?”
He mentioned how Hindu temples in other states are major tourist attractions and questioned why Mayjymbuin Cave cannot be the same. He said, “In Assam, Maa Kamakhya Temple is a Hindu Devine Worshiping Place; Like Mahakaaleswar in Ujjain (MP) and Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh. All these places are significant places of tourism for the respective states. Then, why cannot the “Mawjymbuin Cave” be a place of Tourism after being a divine worshipping place of Hindus? I think that; it’s not a matter of Tourism; it is a matter of conspiracy of Christian Missionaries to defame and destroy the Hindu Faith and Culture in the State of Meghalaya; and accordingly devalue the constitution of India.”
Mawjymbuin caves
In recent years, Mawjymbuin caves in Mawsynram in Khasi Hills have emerged as a tourist and religious hotspot in Meghalaya. The cave is famous for the naturally formed ‘Shivalinga’, which is made of stalagmite. This stalagmite in the Mawjymbuin cave resembles the ‘Shivalinga’ of Amarnath cave. The giant natural Shivling inside the cave has turned the spot into a sacred shrine for Hindus.
During the month of Shravan, hordes of Hindu pilgrims across the country visit the cave as part of the Kanwar Yatra. Lakhs of devotees clad in saffron attire walk barefoot to reach the cave and pay obeisance to the Shivalinga during the yatra.
