The Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) has sent a formal letter to the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma, urging the government not to give permission for the Gau Swachh Staphana Bharat Yatra scheduled to take place in Shillong on October 2.
In the letter, signed by Dr. Ricky A.J. Syngkon, the party’s General Secretary and Member of Parliament from Shillong, the VPP expressed concerns that the event could disrupt peace and order in the state.
The VPP stressed that, while freedom of worship is a fundamental right, the religious beliefs and practices of one group should not adversely affect others, particularly in terms of lifestyle and dietary preferences.
They warned that such events could further deepen divisions and harm the harmonious relationships between the diverse ethnic communities in Meghalaya.
“While we fully support and uphold the principle of freedom of religion, which is enshrined in our Constitution, we are deeply troubled by the potential implications that such an event could have on the communal harmony of our state”, said the VPP.
“.. freedom disturbs others or attempts to impose beliefs regarding what people should eat, how they should live, or what they should believe in, then such activities threaten the very fabric of our society. Meghalaya is a state known for its diversity, peace, and mutual respect across communities. Any event that may cause unrest or provoke tensions among different communities should be approached with extreme caution”, added the VPP letter.
The letter concluded by urging the state government to consider the potential negative impact of the event on the social fabric of the state and take necessary action to maintain peace.
“Such actions have the potential to create misunderstanding and resentment, which may eventually lead to communal disharmony. Given the sensitive nature of our state’s social fabric, we strongly urge the government not to allow the Yatra to take place”.
