Shillong: Sohra MDC Titosstarwell Chyne hammered Vivanta Meghalaya on Monday after the hotel posted a digitally altered image of the sacred Nohkalikai Falls. The graphic morphed the iconic waterfall into the face of Lord Ganesha to mark Ganesh Chaturthi. Public outcry forced the hotel to delete the post and the image by Sunday. The move sparked immediate backlash from local leadership.
Chyne, the Leader of Opposition in the KHADC, spoke for the people of Sohra. He demanded an unconditional apology from the hotel management and a full explanation regarding who approved the controversial creative work. He made his stance clear. "Nohkalikai Falls is not just a tourist spot. It is part of our history, our folklore and our identity. It has a tragic and sacred Khasi legend behind it. It cannot be turned into a graphic for a marketing gimmick," he stated.
The MDC emphasized that while Meghalaya respects all religions, including Hinduism, the state's cultural identity is off-limits for commercial gain. He warned that allowing companies to distort sacred sites sets a dangerous precedent that offends indigenous sentiments. Chyne is now pushing the state government to create strict guidelines. He wants clear rules to stop hotels and corporations from hijacking culturally significant locations for their own marketing agendas.
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