Shillong , Oct 14: Meghalaya Linguistic Minority Development Forum (MLMDF)
Shillong, has issued an open letter to people of the state to have dialogue, not confrontation during festivals..
The appeal comes after the KSU has asked the authorities to remove pandals on PWD roads.
The appeal below
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE STATE ADMINISTRATION, EAST KHASI HILLS
AND ALL NGOs & CSO’s OF MEGHALAYA
Subject: An urgent appeal for dialogue, administrative fairness, and mutual respect regarding Durga
Puja pandals in public spaces
To,
● The State Administration,Meghalaya
● All Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s) of Meghalaya
Respected Members of State Administration and Civil Society of Meghalaya,
As we approach the auspicious and happy occasion of Durga Puja, the Meghalaya Linguistic Minority
Development Forum (MLMDF) places before you an urgent appeal for dialogue, mutual respect and
collective responsibility in the larger interest of peace and harmony in Meghalaya.
The concerns raised by various NGOs regarding Durga Puja pandals erected on public roads or spaces
where they may obstruct traffic, compromise public safety or encroach on public property are legitimate
and deserve serious consideration. The rule of law and public safety must remain non-negotiable priorities. Where clear violations occur, they must be addressed legally and through proper administrative procedures.
At the same time, we must recognize that Durga Puja is one of the most sacred and cherished occasions for the Sanatan community. For countless families, artisans and devotees, it represents faith, cultural identity and deep-rooted heritage. Many Puja committees have already invested substantial resources to
erect these structures. Therefore, any abrupt removal or relocation carries severe financial, logistical and
emotional consequences.
This is neither a demand for special treatment nor an argument against law enforcement. Rather, it is a
firm appeal to ensure that enforcement is executed with dialogue, sensitivity, limitations as well as ergonomics of the rituals and its associated practices.
The challenge of temporary public space utilization and traffic disruption is not unique to religious
festivals. Throughout the year, Shillong witnesses major traffic diversions, road closures and public
space utilization for state-sponsored mega-events as well as during high-profile VIP and Ministerial
visits. During such occasions, citizens routinely adapt and accommodate the temporary inconvenience in
the spirit of public cooperation. In fact sometimes dues to unnecessary road parking pedestrians have
literally no space to walk especially the elderly. Civic standards and regulatory guidelines must be expenditure.
A Call for Inter-Community Generosity
We must reflect on the true spirit in which festivals are celebrated in Meghalaya. During Christmas,
Shillong comes alive with lights, decorations, and a profound sense of togetherness. Non-Christian
communities join in the joy, admiring the lights, visiting friends and celebrating alongside their neighbors.
Every festival should open doors, build friendships, and bring us closer and not create artificial distance.
This spirit of mutual participation is the bedrock of Meghalaya’s social fabric. Our approach must never descend into a tit-for-tat comparison between festivals. Every situation must be judged on its individual merits under the law, guided by a sincere willingness to find practical solutions with the communities
concerned.
Confrontation today will only yield fear, mistrust and alienation, an outcome that serves no one.
While civic concerns must be addressed, they must not be weaponized to deepen communal divisions or foster hostility especially among permanent non tribal citizens of the state.
We must also candidly acknowledge our internal gaps. Coordinating bodies like the Central Puja Committee (CPC) have a duty to facilitate timely communication and resolve public space concerns
proactively. Unfortunately, we have seen a visible absence of timely, proactive dialogue or creating an
open space from such bodies in recent years.
Moving forward, better pre-festival coordination among local Puja committees, civil society NGOs and
the administration is critical to preventing these recurring friction points.
Policy Proposals for an Amicable Resolution
In the spirit of secularism, transparency, and peaceful coexistence, we propose the following actionable
steps:
1. Time-Bound Remedial Actions: Where a genuine breach or obstruction is identified, the concerned Puja committee should be given reasonable notice and an opportunity to discuss feasible remedies or modifications without total dismantling, unless an immediate, severe safety hazard exists.
2. We extend a warm invitation to all concerned state administration departments, NGOs and civil
society leaders to visit the pandals, celebrate with us and share constructive suggestions. Let us use this year to establish an open, common platform for ongoing dialogue rather than public
blame-shifting.
3. Shared Responsibility & Mutual Respect: Puja committees must strictly comply with administrative directions and act responsibly. Equally, civil society organizations raising concerns
should engage constructively, acknowledging long-standing local contexts and historical practices
without treating them as automatic exemptions.
Preserving Inclusivity and coexistence,
Decisions affecting the public are most effective when the process is transparent, participatory, and inclusive. Too often, matters impacting local communities are decided without giving linguistic minorities and grassroots citizens an adequate voice.
On behalf of the communities celebrating Durga Puja, MLMDF and the permanent linguistic minority citizens of Meghalaya who call this state home, we appeal to all stakeholders to approach this situation
with compassion, dignity, and an open mind. We have lived together across generations, sharing neighborhoods, celebrating festivals and standing
by one another in times of trial. Let us build bridges rather than barriers. Let us choose dialogue over
confrontation and cooperation over division.
With sincere hope for an amicable resolution and a peaceful Durga Puja for all,
Yours sincerely,
With sincere gratitude and warm regards,
Media and Publicity Unit
Meghalaya Linguistic Minority Development Forum (MLMDF)
Shillong, Meghalaya
