Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma has called for understanding and respect for local sentiments amid demands by Assam-based Hindu group Kutumba Surakshya Parishad (KSP) to reopen Mawjymbuin Cave for rituals. KSP issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Meghalaya government, threatening to block key routes, including Jorabat near Guwahati and Paikan near Goalpara, if the cave is not reopened by December 25.
Minister Sangma urged restraint, likening the situation to conducting church services near the Ram Mandir, which he said “would not look good.” He criticized the threats, questioning whether such actions align with religious principles. The Mawjymbuin Cave, located near Mawsynram, about 60 kilometers from Shillong, is revered by Hindus for its natural stone formation believed to resemble a Shiva Linga. However, the Mawsynram Dorbar Shnong banned Hindu rituals at the site in August 2024, citing local concerns. The matter, which has been ongoing for months, reached the High Court, which directed the state government to engage with stakeholders to find a resolution.
