Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Thursday said there is a “political motive” behind the move to oppose the upcoming Shillong Cherry Blossom festival, which is an attempt to impede the growth of tourism.
“I suspect that there is a political motive behind this move. There are forces, who are trying to impede the growth of tourism,” Lyngdoh told reporters after refusing to meet with a delegation under the banner of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), which have expressed opposition against the decision to conclude the festival on a Sunday.
The JAC comprises of NGOs from Ri-bhoi District, which include Meghalaya People United Front (MPUF), Ri-Bhoi Youth Organization (RBYO), United Hynniewtrep Movement (UHM), Saindur Tipkur Tipkha Ehrngiew Hynniewtrep (STIEH) and Meghalaya People’s Social Organization (MPSO).
“Today itself, you have the Director of Tourism from Odisha along with the 7 States of the North East in Shillong for a tourism conclave and this is being viewed through the Indian Express channel globally, that is where Meghalaya tourism has reached.So all kinds of negative forces will try to block growth and development,” he said.
Stating that people have different opinions, Lyngdoh said, “As I said anybody can object to anything. But is it unprecedented? Have we not had concerts on Sundays in Shillong in the past?”
He said the government is not imposing this festival on the people. “People have the choice not to go. Are you saying on Sunday, we close down all cinema halls, all restaurants, and all parks and push people to the churches? Can the government do that? So this is all rubbish,” Lyngdoh remarked.
He added: “There will always be protest to any idea but should a government succumb specially when there is no logic, no reasoning. Are you saying God only created Sunday, what about the other days? Are the other days less holy? You can indulge in crimes any day and go back to church on Sunday and wash your sins and go back on Monday commit the same crimes. What kind of logic or theology is that?”
Asserting the need to understand the whole concept of the cherry blossom festival, the minister further informed that 90% of the footfall that happens during such festivals is tourists from outside the state and it also includes international tourists.
“This event is not meant for anybody who does not take to the idea of such festivals. We are not imposing anything. In fact for Ri Bhoi district to grow, we have chosen a venue within that district because a lot of opportunities will be opened in terms of people doing business, having stalls, having shops, having taxis, other forms of transportation they will be gainfully engaged,” he said while adding “Now, when it comes to a set of beliefs, if they said it is a Sunday, so it’s a holy day no one other than king David said this is the day that the Lord has made, I will be glad and rejoice in it. What does it mean, it means that every day is a gift from God and therefore, it should be considered holy.”
“Now, if you say why have a festival on Sunday, so we end it up to Saturday what about the adherence of Seventh Day Adventist, they will say why have it on Saturday, it’s holy for us and if you have it on Friday, Muslims will object, its holy for us, then how do you run a state in that manner,” he added.
Further, Lyngdoh said the problem here is that there are sections of people, who think that they are more intelligent than the people they have elected.
“In that case why elect us? Why don’t they take over the government? You have a cabinet, you have a government that has been elected by the mandate of those people. As soon as you cast your vote, you think you are more intelligent, you are wiser , you have more foresight, you have more vision than the leaders that you have elected, that itself is ironical,” he added.
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