Social activist asks Govt to ensure there is no infringement upon rights and freedom of Meghalayans

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 27, 2024

Social activist Greneth M Sangma on Friday condemned the visit of ShankaracharyaSwami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Ji Maharaj in Meghalaya on September 28 to advocate for a central law banning cow slaughter and install the cow flag.

In a statement, Sangma said, “This event undermines the rights and freedoms of Meghalaya’s people, who cherish their independence and freedom to live life on their own terms, as enshrined in the Sixth Schedule and the Right to Freedom of Religion under the Indian Constitution.”

“As part of the Christian state in North East India, we respect all religions and beliefs but cannot allow communal intentions to disrupt our harmonious coexistence. In our Garo tradition, cows are integral to cultural and social practices, including marriage, meetings, and significant events. We cannot entertain attempts to impose restrictions on our dietary preferences and cultural practices,” he said.

The social activist also demanded the hindu group to respect cultural diversity and also recognize and respect Meghalaya’s cultural practices and traditions.

He emphasized the need to ensure the event does not infringe upon the rights and freedoms of Meghalaya’s people and to encourage dialogue and understanding among different communities to maintain social harmony.

“We urge authorities to ensure the event does not infringe upon our rights and freedoms. We stand united against attempts to sow discord and divisiveness in our society. We appeal to concerned citizens, organizations, and authorities to join us in condemning this event and upholding unity, diversity, and inclusivity values,” Sangma further stated.