Shillong, November 3 (NNN): Various social organizations and political parties in Meghalaya today vowed to protest against the Government’s sponsored Shillong Autumn Festival organized by Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF), which would culminate on a day considered sacred by the Christians, the Sunday of November 6.
Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Khun Hynniewtrep Awakening Movement (KHNAM), Ri Bhoi Youth Federation (RBTF) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) of Meghalaya which met at Khasi National Dorbar Hall at Mawkhar in Shillong said that they were deeply hurt by the remarks passed by MTDF members terming the church leaders who had protested the holding of the Shillong Autumn Festival as “anti-secularism”, 'fanatics' and “Talibans”
Speaking to the media after the meeting, working president of FKJGP, Joe Marwein said the various churches and the NGOs and political parties like the NCP and KHNAM would like to see that the Sun sets apart with due respect and reverence and mega-festival like the Shillong Autumn Festival should not be held on a Sunday.
“We used to call for various agitation programmes and bandhs against the State Government on various issues, but not on Sundays", Marwein said. He also said that recently the militant group of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) announced a bandh on a Sunday and withdrew it following an appeal made by the church leaders. Marwein also said the social organizations would write to the State Government to register their protest against holding the Shillong Autumn Festival on a Sunday.
Earlier, the NCP was the first to protest against holding the festival on a Sunday followed by North East India Christian Council, as the Christian population would be fully engaged in worship services and also to observe the World Sunday School.
Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF) was determined to hold the festival even on a Sunday to project the rich and colourful cultures of the North Eastern Region at the Shillong Autumn Festival–2011 and grand finale of the festival would be held at the scenic Orchid Lake Resort near against the backdrops of Umiam Lake surrounded by hills and blue sky. The organizers termed the culmination of the festival as a “Family Get-together” held on a Sunday, as a large chunk of the population which does not have weekly off like Government employees could also get the opportunity to participate in the festival.
The festival includes Adventure Sport, Fashion show and music to enable the visitors what they have never see before ; for instance like the Acro Flights by Ace Paraglider pilots from France.
Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Khun Hynniewtrep Awakening Movement (KHNAM), Ri Bhoi Youth Federation (RBTF) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) of Meghalaya which met at Khasi National Dorbar Hall at Mawkhar in Shillong said that they were deeply hurt by the remarks passed by MTDF members terming the church leaders who had protested the holding of the Shillong Autumn Festival as “anti-secularism”, 'fanatics' and “Talibans”
Speaking to the media after the meeting, working president of FKJGP, Joe Marwein said the various churches and the NGOs and political parties like the NCP and KHNAM would like to see that the Sun sets apart with due respect and reverence and mega-festival like the Shillong Autumn Festival should not be held on a Sunday.
“We used to call for various agitation programmes and bandhs against the State Government on various issues, but not on Sundays", Marwein said. He also said that recently the militant group of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) announced a bandh on a Sunday and withdrew it following an appeal made by the church leaders. Marwein also said the social organizations would write to the State Government to register their protest against holding the Shillong Autumn Festival on a Sunday.
Earlier, the NCP was the first to protest against holding the festival on a Sunday followed by North East India Christian Council, as the Christian population would be fully engaged in worship services and also to observe the World Sunday School.
Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF) was determined to hold the festival even on a Sunday to project the rich and colourful cultures of the North Eastern Region at the Shillong Autumn Festival–2011 and grand finale of the festival would be held at the scenic Orchid Lake Resort near against the backdrops of Umiam Lake surrounded by hills and blue sky. The organizers termed the culmination of the festival as a “Family Get-together” held on a Sunday, as a large chunk of the population which does not have weekly off like Government employees could also get the opportunity to participate in the festival.
The festival includes Adventure Sport, Fashion show and music to enable the visitors what they have never see before ; for instance like the Acro Flights by Ace Paraglider pilots from France.
