Shillong, September 23: Matbah Lyngdoh, president of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has strongly opposed any attempts to declare the cow as “Rashtra Mata” (Mother of the Nation). Speaking to reporters, he expressed concern over the potential for such declarations to create unnecessary disturbances among communities.
Lyngdoh emphasized the importance of respecting diverse beliefs and practices, stating, “It’s not advisable to pursue this kind of agenda. Let’s respect whatever faith you have; practice your own, but don’t try to interfere with others. We have a lot of Hindus, Muslims, and various communities here, each following their own religions. We never stopped them, and likewise, it should be the same.”
His comments were made in response to the “Gau Dhwaj Yatra” proposed by the Gau Pratishtha Andolan (GPA), which seeks to elevate the cow to the status of Rashtra Mata and promote a ban on cow slaughter. The GPA has announced that Jagadguru Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Maharaj will preside over the installation of the “Gau Dhwaj” on October 2.
In light of these developments, several politicians, NGOs, and pressure groups in Meghalaya have urged the state government to prevent the Yatra from entering the region, citing cultural and religious sensitivities.