Members of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) and Khasi Students Union (KSU) gathered in large numbers today at Umroi airport to protest the arrival of Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarandah, a leader of a cow protection group advocating for the cow to be declared the “mother of India.” Shankaracharya was scheduled to arrive at Umroi around noon by flight, after traveling from Manipur.
Yesterday, Shankaracharya was barred from entering Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, forcing him to return from those states by air. Originally, the Hindu group had planned a rally in Shillong on October 2, but it is unclear why their leader decided to come earlier today.
HYC members gathered in force at the entrance and exit points of the Umroi airport, where a significant police presence was also observed. Political groups and pressure groups have strongly opposed the Hindu organization’s plan to hold a rally promoting the cow as the “mother of India” and calling for a ban on cow slaughter and beef consumption.
Earlier, the HYC had threatened to hold a public beef feast if the Hindu group proceeded with its rally advocating for the cow as the national mother of India.
