HNLC threatens to shut down Hindu temples if KSP dared to block roads over Mawjymbuin cave issue

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 24, 2024

The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has threatened to shut down every Hindu temple if the Kutumba Surakshya Parishad (KSP) dares to block roads to demand for reopening of the Mawjymbuin cave.

In a statement issued on Monday, HNLC general secretary cum publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said, “The KSP’s threats of road blockades and communal propaganda will not intimidate us. Instead, they expose their true agenda: to spread hatred, incite communal tensions, and undermine the sovereignty of the Hynniewtrep nation.”

“If the KSP dares to block roads to demand the reopening of the Mawjymbuin Cave, the HNLC issues a stern warning: every Hindu temple must be shut down. Should the KSP attempt to ignite communal tensions, they will witness the full force of our resolve. Let it be clear—if their temples remain open, we will ensure they are reduced to ruins. If they want to provoke, they will see what true retaliation looks like. Let it be known that the Hynniewtrep people will not be cowed by outsiders trying to dictate terms on our land,” he stated.

Condemning the KSP’s inflammatory statements and threats, Nongtraw said, “This unwarranted interference in our sacred lands constitutes a direct attack on our sovereignty, culture, and rights as the indigenous people of this land.”

He said that the Hynniewtrep people have been the guardians of Mawjymbuin Cave for generations, long before any outsider claimed it as a site for their religious rituals. The Dorbar Shnong of Mawsynram, acting under traditional Khasi customary law, has rightfully exercised its authority to protect the sanctity of this sacred site. Let it be clear: no external force, political or religious, has the right to dictate how we manage our sacred lands.

“KSP’s outrageous claims and threats of road blockades are nothing but a continuation of the colonial mindset that seeks to dominate, exploit, and erase indigenous cultures. Their audacity to compare Mawjymbuin Cave to Hindu pilgrimage sites like Kamakhya Temple and Tirupati Balaji is a deliberate attempt to usurp the sacred heritage of the Hynniewtrep people,” Nongtraw said while adding “We strongly reject any attempts to turn our sacred spaces into tourist commodities or tools for religious propaganda. Mawjymbuin Cave is not a Hindu shrine—it is part of the cultural identity of the Hynniewtrep people.”

“Indigenous communities across the world have an inherent right to protect their sacred sites and preserve their cultural practices free from external interference. This principle is upheld by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which India has endorsed and is obligated to respect. While some visitors interpret the natural stone formation in the cave as resembling a Shiva Ling, there is no historical or archaeological evidence to support claims that the cave has been an exclusive site of Hindu worship for centuries. Such assertions cannot and should not supersede the rights of the Hynniewtrep people, who have been the rightful custodians of this sacred land for generations,” he stated.

Further, the HNLC leader said that KSP’s baseless allegations of a “Christian missionary conspiracy” and “anti-Hindu actions” are deliberate provocations designed to incite communal violence.

“The Hynniewtrep people have always upheld the values of respect, coexistence, and peace. However, we will not tolerate lies and propaganda aimed at demonizing our community and undermining our traditional systems of governance. The Indian government must immediately take action against the KSP for its divisive and provocative rhetoric. The cultural rights of the Hynniewtrep people are safeguarded under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, particularly under Paragraphs 3 and 4, which empower Autonomous District Councils to make laws on social customs, cultural practices, and the management of land and forests for the benefit of the tribal community,” he added.