Northeast Desk, 27th September: Members of various pressure groups in Meghalaya, including the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), the Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC), and the Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HIITO), gathered outside the Umroi Airport to protest the arrival of Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra leaders for an upcoming cow protection rally. The leaders, led by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Shri Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, faced significant opposition from these groups concerned about potential disruptions to local culture and traditions.
In response to the rising tensions, the District Administration of Ri Bhoi deployed police teams to the airport to maintain order. Officials informed the protesting members that measures had been taken to prevent the Hindu Yatra leaders from entering the state.
Subsequently, it was reported that Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and his team decided to postpone their visit and are now scheduled to arrive in Meghalaya on September 28.
Prior to these events, Meghalaya Cabinet Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh publicly condemned the possibility of unrest in the state, reiterating the need to safeguard local cultural practices and traditions amid the planned rally.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding cultural and religious events in the region, with local organizations advocating for the preservation of their heritage in the face of external influences.