Shillong, Meghalaya: Cabinet Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has voiced strong opposition to a proposed march by a Hindu group on October 2 that seeks to declare the cow as the “mother of the nation.” Lyngdoh, who is also the Health and Family Welfare Minister, expressed concerns that the march could disrupt Meghalaya’s peace and cultural harmony.
Lyngdoh emphasized that Meghalaya’s unique traditions should be respected and warned against allowing external influences to cause unrest. She stressed the need for mutual respect among India’s diverse communities, noting that actions perceived as threatening to local customs would be met with legal measures.
Describing such marches as “political dramas,” Lyngdoh called for a balance between freedom of expression and respect for local traditions. She urged that visitors and external groups honor Meghalaya’s cultural practices, paralleling the respect they would expect for their own traditions.