SHILLONG : Senior BJP leader and Pynthorumkhrah MLA A L Hek on Wednesday said indigenous faiths such as Seng Khasi, Niam Tre and Sein Raj should be entitled to minority status and the benefits associated with it.
Referring to Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution, Hek said minority religious status has been granted to several religious communities in India.
“If you go by Article 29 and 30, the Government of India has given minority religious status to Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Islam and other religious groups,” Hek said.
He argued that indigenous faiths such as Sein Raj and Sein Jaintia, which follow traditional beliefs, should also be considered for similar recognition and benefits.
“Sein Raj, Sein Jaintia are also indigenous faiths, they believe in traditional faiths,” he said.
Hek raises question over minority benefits
Hek said that since tribal Christians receive benefits associated with minority status, followers of indigenous tribal faiths should not be excluded from similar consideration.
“Once you have given to me, the tribal, as a Christian the facilities of the minority status, why should we deprive Seng Khasi, Seng Raj? They are also entitled to the same because they are also tribal,” he said.
“The Seng Khasi, Seng Raj, they are tribal, we Christians also we are tribal. Christians being tribals are given these facilities, they have to also give to Seng Khasi, Seng Raj,” Hek added.
Plans to approach National Commission for Minorities
Hek said he would formally raise the matter with the National Commission for Minorities.
“I have to write to the Minority Commission, I have not sent it, but I will be writing to the Minority Commission,” he said.
He also said that some Seng Khasi leaders had approached him informally to discuss the issue.
“I have some Seng Khasi leaders, they talked to me not as Seng Khasi but as a friend, so we discussed about this and I said this is your right, why should we deprive your right,” Hek said.