Church leaders call on MDA govt against yatra with provocative objectives against diverse and cultural ethos of Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 28, 2024

The  Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum (KJCLF) on Saturday called on the Conrad K Sangma-led state government to take step in curbing yatras with specific and provocative objectives against the diverse and fraternal ethos of the people of Meghalaya.

In a statement, KJCLF secretary Rev Dr EH Kharkongor said, “To educate citizens on these and also to avoid undue stress in community relations the KJCLF call upon the Honourable Chief Minister and his government to take necessary and preventable steps in curbing these yatras while promoting the religious, cultural and other festivals of the Autumn season in our land.”

He said the State and region is witnessing undue hue and cry in the wake of the proposed yatra against slaughtering of the bovine cattle.  This is reportedly to take place on the 2nd October in Meghalaya sparking a sense of unease and rebellious alertness in many quarters of the population.

Rev Kharkongor also noted that proponents of this yatra are entities outside Meghalaya with specific and provocative objectives against the diverse and fraternal ethos of the people of our State. 

“It has always been the case that events like these promote sectarianism, mistrust and misunderstanding with the potency of triggering law and order situations in these locations with repercussions from local to national and global levels,” he said

Stating that at international markets the world beef industry has ranked India as the Fourth largest beef producer in the world, the KJCLF leader said, “So is the case in Meghalaya and a number of our neighbouring States where cattle and beef market is a major contributor to indigenous livelihoods and food habits.”

“It is therefore exigent and incumbent on the governments both at the States and the Centre to realise that yatras like these can adversely impact on a substantial industry of our debt-ridden economies,” he stated.