Shillong: Political rivals are finding common ground in Meghalaya. Leaders from the AITC and BJP want government premises kept secular. Public offices exist to serve the people, not to house shrines or mosques. This push follows the recent construction of a temple inside the CBI office campus at Mawdiangdiang.
AITC Meghalaya president Charles Pyngrope insists these institutions must remain neutral. He argues that religious activities belong in recognized houses of worship. "Government offices are not religious institutions. Therefore, putting a church, temple, or masjid inside any government office should not be allowed," Pyngrope told reporters.
He questioned if a church would ever appear at the Main Secretariat. The site is for work, not prayer. BJP MLA Alexander Laloo Hek agrees with this assessment. He believes government offices are already places of worship because employees must serve with integrity and honesty.
Hek stated that no temples, churches, mosques, or gurdwaras have a place on government property. He wants all official land, whether state or central, reserved for business. Staff can practice their faith at home. The two parties are now united against building on public land in the New Shillong area.
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