Nagaland government did not give permission to hold ‘Gau Mahasabha’, Shankaracharya was to preside over it

The Nagaland government has refused to grant permission to hold a ‘Gau Mahasabha’ (mega meeting for cows) in Kohima on September 28, a senior minister said on Wednesday. The meeting was to be chaired by Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath, Swami Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati. Holding the event in Christian-dominated Nagaland, where most of the population consumes beef, had created controversy.

The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by state Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Government spokesperson and minister CL John said that the cabinet cited the protection given to the religious and social practices of the Nagas as well as Naga customary law and procedures under Article 371A of the Constitution. During the meeting, the cabinet was apprised of the objections expressed by various civil society organizations and political parties. Civil organizations like the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), its ally BJP, Naga People’s Front (NPF), Naga Mothers’ Association and Naga Students Federation had objected to the program.

“The Cabinet did not give permission to hold the event in the interest of maintaining public order,” C L John said. The minister also said the government believed it would be better for the organisers to drop the idea of ​​holding the event in Nagaland. “Beef is part of Naga cuisine and has been part of our diet for centuries,” Vilanuo Yome, president of the Naga Mothers’ Association, told PTI. The state BJP also criticised the proposed event. Nagaland BJP president Benjamin Yepthomi said in a statement, “This event has nothing to do with the Nagaland BJP. The issue needs to be addressed in the context of Nagaland’s socio-religious and cultural structure.”