GUWAHATI: Assam-based spiritual organisation Kutumba Surakshya Parishad has expressed concern over the reported opposition to the construction of a common worship hall within the premises of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office in Shillong.
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In a statement issued on Wednesday, Kutumba Surakshya Parishad president Satya Ranjan Borah criticised the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) for reportedly demanding the demolition of the under-construction facility. He also condemned what he described as attempts to prevent people from exercising their constitutional right to worship.
"We are not happy with the demand from KSU to demolish the common worship hall being built inside the CBI office in Shillong. We sincerely condemn this kind of behaviour by KSU and all other allied groups or individuals. India is a secular country, and every citizen has the fundamental right to practise and profess their faith as they wish," Borah said.
Borah said the freedom to worship is guaranteed under the Constitution and cautioned that any attempt to restrict this right could lead to social and communal tensions.
"It is a fundamental right. Anything against it can be considered anti-social, anti-constitutional and anti-national. As citizens of India who believe in the Constitution, we must not encourage activities that can lead to communal and social tension in society," he said.
Referring to the earlier controversy surrounding the Mawjymbuin Cave Shivling in Mawsynram, Borah said the response of the East Khasi Hills district administration and the Meghalaya government had strengthened his organisation's confidence in the state's commitment to secular values.
"During the circumstances surrounding the Mawjymbuin Cave Shivling in Mawsynram, the East Khasi Hills authorities and the Government of Meghalaya reassured us by upholding the secular character of the nation. Following discussions and meetings, we believed that the Meghalaya government would continue to strengthen socio-cultural and inter-community harmony while safeguarding national integrity and internal security," he said.
However, Borah said reports that KSU members had allegedly locked the under-construction worship hall had raised concerns about the Meghalaya government's commitment to constitutional values and communal harmony.
"After hearing reports that KSU members locked the under-construction common worship hall inside the CBI office in Shillong, we have lost confidence in the Meghalaya government's commitment to the Constitution and to humanity. Humanity is not merely a matter of words but a reflection of our socio-cultural values and conduct," he added.
Borah urged Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and the state administration to intervene and ensure that every citizen is able to practise their religion without discrimination.
"We sincerely request the Meghalaya Chief Minister and the administration to look into this matter so that further socio-communal tension can be prevented and every citizen of India gets an equal opportunity to worship freely in every corner of Meghalaya. We believe they will understand our concern and act accordingly," he said.