No intention to offend any religious and cultural festival

[By Mr. Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh, RALANDA, Lumbasuk-B, Lawjynriew]

This is in response to O. R Challam’s oped entitled, “Misrepresentation of Behdeiǹkhlam and Chaad Sukra” A Call for Respect and Constitutional Adherence, which was published in your esteemed Yutip News, Dated 30/3/2025.
Dear Mr. O.R Challam
With utter respect, I would like to respond to the allegations made against me in Mr O. R Challam’s letter, “Misrepresentation of Behdeiǹkhlam and Chaad Sukra: A Call for Respect and Constitutional Adherence”.

1. To set the record straight, I no longer holds the position of a Reverend nor a Church leader as I had resigned and left the Church Ministry for good more than two years ago.
2. I prepare myself before participating in any talk show, and as per the draft I have written on the points of discussion for the talk show hosted by 4 front media, one of those points is, “Ka shad, ka kmen kaba ngi ong ka kolshor kan ym don lymda don ka rep kba, u kba u ȉasoh bad ka ngeit Blei, Mane Blei” which can be loosely translated into English thus- “Dances/festivals and that we considered as culture will not happen sans rice cultivation. Rice cultivation amongst the Hynǹiewtrep people is linked with the divine.” The references to the traditional dances/festivals has its basis on the manuscript. Therefore, I must clarify that the accusation of my having made derogatory remarks, incited hatred or referred to these festivals as “Shad Cement” is unfounded and a misrepresentation of my intentions.
3. In the cited talk show, I represent myself and not any religious or civil society group. Whatever I deliberated on the subject, which is place before the participants, it is my personal opinion which is based on available facts and my understanding of the issue. I participated in the discussion on my own accord as a citizen and should there be any consequence I will only have to answer.
4. Perhaps I would also like to raise a question here, is the writer trying to twist or deliberately misinterpret my entire deliberations so as to create confusion among the citizens which may perhaps lead to division?
5. In fact, the scale of environmental degradation in the State should have fumed every citizen with pain and anger irrespective of religion or beliefs he or she subscribed to.
6. This is Spring time, the queen of all seasons is rejuvenating lives here on earth and every culture across the universe, especially indigenous cultures, are celebrating life and offer thanks giving to its Maker (Who ever they believe) who has bestowed upon mother earth with such abundance for every being to sustain a living. Most of the indigenous dances in the Land of Hynǹiewtrep are the manifestations of the divine and through these dances and other practices we all pay our obeisance (in whichever form we deem fit) to the Creator.
7. Cultural/Religious dances like the Shad Sukra, Behdeiǹkhlam, Shad Suk Mynsiem et al are intrinsically link to the primordial activity of our ancestors, i. e agriculture or farming and these dances, apart from religious elements which they entailed, reflect the essence of socio-cultural, economic and political life of the Hynǹiewtrep community. However, I concur with Kong Sweetymon Rynjah where she opined that unlike the Shad Nongkrem, the Shad Suk Mynsiem which is primarily a thanksgiving dance, is not a religious dance as it does not entail any religious rituals, but we only beseech through prayers and exhort before the Almighty (Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem March 2000). We must earnestly and continually beseech before our Creator to save our land from the neo-liberals who are hell bent to destroy our ecology vis a vis faith, culture and freedom.
8. The Jaiǹtia Hills region is rich in culture and religious practices because of the fact that there are about 176 landraces of rice which are indigenous to the region or in other words they are not found anywhere else. We all must take serious note about the decadal loss of 3.99% of rice area in Jaiǹtia Hills due to extractive and unregulated mining. Such a loss in the rice area will not only impact the economy, but the socio-religious and cultural practices of the indigenous people.
9. For growth and development, along with other regions in the State, Jaiǹtia Hills is also making headway to accelerate the so-called progress which benefits only a few. Since the liberalization the State is also pushing hard for investment and inviting investors from outside to mine the available raw materials, like lime stone etc and to set up industries. There are numbers of investors who had set up cement industries and also several coke factories in the State. Meanwhile, there are also voices of concerned on the impact that such an economic model has and which is believed to be at the cost of environment. Therefore, the above cited discussion is in the context of environmental degradation and the survival of the indigenous people of the State in the face of economic progress.
10. As a writer and also an active participant in public discourse, I am extremely sensitive towards
    history, culture, traditions and especially to the sensibilities of people of other faiths. In no
    circumstances would I make fun at the cost of others. It is worth mentioning here that in the above mentioned public discourse, I subtly quoted a few lines from the Khasi Methodist Christian Hymn, “Haba nga iaid lyngba ki ‘law bah ‘law san, nga iohsngew ki jingpah ki sim ha u dieng. Na kliar ki lum nga iohi ki thie ki madan…” (These lines are translated from the English Hymn, “How Great Thou Art”) This act is also a critique to my own faith tradition. Does my religious song, which I prayerfully sing every morning, about the greatness of the creation match with the current environmental realities?
11. The “Shad cement” comment which was made by me during the course of discussion is
    intended metaphorically and should be understood in the proper context of our discussion. The comment does not equate “Shad cement” with any revered indigenous festival, nor does it intend to suggest replacing it. I have no intention of disrespecting or demeaning the beliefs of any particular religious group, let alone the adherents of indigenous faith of Hynǹiewtrep community.
12. Further, I was raised in a Khasi Christian family that taught me the values of both traditions.
    Life is an evolution in itself and through this journey, I learned to embrace the language of faith over the language of religion. I discovered the language of love as opposed to the language of religion, which can foster hate. I learned to speak the language of peace instead of the language of religion, which can lead to war. I chose to communicate the language of justice rather than the language of religion which often results in exploitation and enslavement.
13. Lastly, as someone who is actively involved in social movements and works to bridge the gaps prevalent among diverse communities in our state, I wish to unequivocally state that if the general members of society, including my own “kur and kha” (kith and kin), struggle to grasp the nuances of my “Shad cement” comment and find it offensive, I owe them an unconditional apology. At the same time, I earnestly appeal to them not to be misled or to give in to divisive elements that aim to create discord and confusion.

Khublei Shi hajar Nguh.