SHILLONG : Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday defended the government’s support for the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian (KJP) Assembly’s pre-Christmas musical concert scheduled for December 12, stating that the government was not promoting any particular religion but supporting communities and their celebrations.

Responding to criticism from the opposition over the government’s support for the concert, Sangma said the government extended assistance to different religious communities without discrimination.

“We are not promoting any religion but the faith of the people that is there when they celebrate it is something that they believe in. We are just part of the celebration. We are supporting the community and the society, we don’t choose. Whoever comes to us we support,” he said.

The Chief Minister cited examples of support extended to various religious organisations and communities, including the Presbyterian Church, Baptist Church and the Bihari community for its 100-year celebration of Chhath Puja.

“The other day the Presbyterian Church came up with this idea to us and we said yes please go ahead we will be with you. At the same time the Baptist Church came and they said we want to do this and I said please go ahead we will support you. The Bihari community came that day and said we are having Chhath Puja, 100 years, we want support, I said please go ahead I will support you,” he said.

Sangma maintained that the government was committed to treating all religious communities equally and respecting the state’s secular character.

“Let us understand as a government we are not here to promote or support any religion, we are here to support our people, we are here to support and be part of their celebrations and it is only proper for the government to do that in a neutral manner,” he said.

He also pointed out that the government and legislators extended support to different religious celebrations, including Durga Puja, adding that equal respect and opportunities should be given to all faiths.

The Chief Minister further revealed that he had suggested organising daily programmes at the Meghalayan Age Pavilion to provide entertainment for tourists, including gospel music performances on Sundays.

He said the suggestion came after he was informed that programmes were being planned at the pavilion every day except Sunday.

“I said why except Sunday, we can have gospel songs on Sundays,” he said, adding that two to three young local artists had performed gospel songs at the pavilion the previous Sunday.

Sangma said the performances were open to the public free of charge and expressed happiness over the initiative.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the District School Education Office-cum-Multilevel Car Park at Mawkhar and the Multilevel Car Park at Motphran, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar.