SHILLONG, SEP 27: Meghalaya Chief Secretary DP Wahlang on Friday informed that the state government will not permit Jagadguru Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Maharaj to enter the state. Following a high-level meeting, Wahlang confirmed that the government would formally request the Airport Authority of India to deny permission for the Shankaracharya’s chartered plane to land at Shillong Airport.
“To ensure there is no escalation of law and order in the state, particularly in Ri Bhoi and East Khasi Hills, we have decided that we will write to the Airport Authority of India to deny them landing facilities for their flight tomorrow,” Wahlang told media personnel.
The Chief Secretary further elaborated on the reasons behind the decision, stating, “We have received information that there is a likelihood of some elements trying to land tomorrow at Umroi Airport and take part in a rally promoting cow protection and advocating for a nationwide ban on cow slaughter. No permission has been sought for any rally or protest, but there is a possibility of a chartered flight landing tomorrow.”
Wahlang emphasized that after consulting district authorities in both Ri Bhoi and Shillong, the government concluded that the situation required preemptive action. “We have assessed the situation with the Deputy Commissioner and district authorities, and this is the decision we have taken,” he added.
He also informed that section 144, now recognized as section 163 of the BNSS, had already been invoked in East Khasi Hills to prevent any form of rally or public gathering. Ri Bhoi district is following a similar course of action.
Wahlang mentioned that the government had consulted with the Central Puja Committee (CPC), which clearly distanced itself from the cow protection rally. “They have stated unequivocally that October 2 is a very important day for them, marking the start of their festivities, and they do not subscribe to what this rally is about. They have not rendered any support at all,” he explained.
Wahlang concluded by reiterating the government’s decision: “After taking local stakeholders into consideration and applying our minds collectively, we have decided to write to the airport authority to deny the landing.”
Earlier, after rumors of Shankaracharya’s arrival sparked action from the pressure groups, including the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO), and the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC). The leaders and members of these organizations organized a protest demonstration outside Shillong Airport, displaying banners and flags, and voicing their opposition.
The pressure groups made it clear that they would not allow the Shankaracharya to leave the airport or proceed towards the city. The organizations have stated that they will return to the airport on Saturday to continue their demonstration.
Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati is scheduled to arrive at Shillong Airport on Saturday. According to his convenor, the Shankaracharya plans to install the “Gau Dhwaj” (cow flag) as part of the Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra, a campaign calling for the cow to be declared the “Mother of the Nation” and for the enactment of a central law banning cow slaughter.