SHILLONG: In response to growing rumours that the much-anticipate, three-day Cherry Blossom Festival will on a Sunday, the Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum (KJCLF) clarified its stance on the issue.
Through an official statement issued recently, the forum underscored that while it harbours no opposition towards festivals organised by the government, it staunchly believes that Sunday should remain untouched due to its religious significance for Christians and churches.
Reiterating the essence of community celebrations, the KJCLF pressed for festivals to be held in a spirit that fosters peace and inclusive participation. “The Forum wishes that the festivals be celebrated with peace and community participation and that it is free from any disruptions or disturbances to promote peace and harmony in the state,” read the statement.
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This stance finds its origins in the call by the Joint Action Committee, a conglomerate of diverse organisations including the Meghalaya People United Front, Ri-Bhoi Youth Organization, United Hynniewtrep Movement, Saindur Tipkur Tipkha Ehrngiew Hynniewtrep, and Meghalaya People’s Social Organization.
The committee had previously urged the government to reconsider the concluding date of the Cherry Blossom festival so it wouldn’t fall on a Sunday.
Responding strongly to such requests, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh stressed the multifaceted nature of religious observances. He explained that while for Christians, Sunday is sacrosanct, the Seventh-Day Adventists mark Saturday as holy, and for Muslims, Friday is revered. Given this mosaic of beliefs, identifying a universally agreeable day for the festival is a tall order.
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Lyngdoh went on to voice suspicions of underlying political motivations in opposing the Shillong Cherry Blossom festival. “I suspect that there is a political motive behind this move. There are forces, who are trying to impede the growth of tourism,” he was quoted as saying by the press.
Notably, a similar situation arose in 2011 when the Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF) faced intense opposition for their decision to wrap up the Shillong Autumn Festival on a Sunday. Nevertheless, the festival proceeded as planned.
