Ban on Hindu worship in Mawjymbuin Cave creates furore in Assam, Hindu group threatens road blockade against Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 6, 2024

Kutumba Surakshya Parishad (KSP), a Sanatani group from Assam, came down heavily on the Meghalaya government over the alleged ban on Hindu devotees from offering prayers at the Mawjymbuin Cave in Meghalaya and said that it would go for a road blockade against the neighbouring state if the ban is not withdrawn immediately.

The Mawsynram Dorbar Shnong has banned Hindu devotees from offering prayer at the cave, which is famous for the stone structure that naturally forms into what the Hindu faith believes to be a “Shiva Ling”.

Known as Krem Mawjymbuin, Mawjymbuin cave is a 209 m high natural cave that is made up of calcareous sandstones. Here is the Shiv Linga is constantly bathed in water issuing from a stalactite shaped like a cow’s udder.

““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,” KSP) president Satya Ranjan Borah said addressing a press conference at Guwahati Press Club on Tuesday.

“The PMO India and the office of the Secretary General of UNO should ask the Meghalaya Chief Minister to clear his stand on this issue. We urged the Meghalaya government to withdraw the ban immediately. They should make proper arrangements to perform worship in the Shiv Ling by the Hindus on the occasions of the sacred month Shraban,” Borah 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 devotees of Lord Shiva visited the place to perform their Hindu rituals every year specially in the month of Shravan,” Borah said.

“In a recent update it has been noticed that a major section of people belongs 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 questioned.

“In a democratic and cultured nation like India; do you think; this should happen; should we entertain or tolerate this kind of anti-cultured activities? What is the Meghalaya government is doing there? Are they not following the Constitution of India? Is the Chief Minister of Meghalaya; all other state administrators and state stakeholders are being directed by the Christian missionaries to do be quiet here,” he also questioned.

“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; and accordingly devalue the constitution of India,” he added.

Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh said that Mawjymbuin located in Mawsynram village, is a tourist attraction for its geographical wonder and frequented by tourists of all faith and beliefs. He also said that to convert the said tourist place into a place of worship for any religion would adversely affect the flow of tourists. He said that India is a secular state and to promote such ideas for conversion of tourist place into place of worship would be illogical.

Lyngdoh appreciated the steps taken by the Dorbar Shnong Mawsynram to ban the conversion of the tourist place to place of worship. He also said that there has been no formal representation from the said Dorbar seeking intervention of the State Government.