The Saindur Tipkur Tipkha Ehrngiew Hynniewtrep (STIEH) on Tuesday expressed strong opposition against the decision to conclude the upcoming Shillong Cherry Blossom festival on a Sunday.
The festival is scheduled to be held from November 17 to 19, which happens to be a Sunday.
“We strongly object the conclusion of the said festival on a Sunday in view of its coincidence with a sacred day which is against the faith and practice of Christians,” STIEH said in a memorandum to the Tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh on Tuesday.
It said that Sunday is a day which is considered to be a sacred and a Holy Day, in the state of Meghalaya as per the Christian beliefs and faith which is the faith professed by the majority of the residents of the state.
“Meghalaya is known as a state that knows man and knows God (ka Ri tip-briew tip-Blei). Sunday is a day reserved for professing our faith and devotion to God and concluding a festival which pays tribute to a tree is an insult to our faith and belief and also to God Himself,” the STIEH said