SHILLONG, MAY 19: The Meghalaya High Court has stayed the ‘Ka leh niam Raid Mylliem’ religious ceremony slated for May 19, citing apprehension of a law and order situation arising from a dispute over the participation of a Christian Myntri in the Khasi indigenous ritual.
Passing the order on Monday, the bench of Justice W Diengdoh directed the Syiem of Mylliem and others involved to halt preparations for the ceremony scheduled at Mawnarian and Lei Shillong of Mylliem.
The petitioners, Kyrshon Marbaniang and another, argued that the annual ceremony is “intrinsically connected to the preservation of the belief and tradition of the indigenous faith/religion, that is, Niam Khasi,” and must be conducted by adherents of the faith.
“Such ceremony being directly linked to the profession of the Khasi religion, therefore, the adherence of the same would inevitably be those who are following the Khasi religion, practice of the same being guaranteed under Article 25, 26 and 29 of the Constitution of India,” counsel for the petitioners, N Syngkon, submitted.
The petitioners contended that respondent No. 4, a Myntri of Hima Mylliem representing the 5 Kur, 11 Kur, “is by faith, a Christian, and as such, he is no longer following the indigenous faith or the Khasi religion.”
“This being the case, it would be an aberration for such a person to conduct the aforesaid sacred religious ceremony, having become incapacitated to perform the said religious function because of his personal religious belief which runs contrary to the requirement for the performance of the said ‘leh niam Raid Mylliem’,” the counsel submitted.
The petitioners have filed a separate writ petition, WP(C) No. 197 of 2026, arguing that “only person/representative belonging to the niam Khasi faith from amongst the eligible clan of 5 Kur, 11 Kur are to take part in the upcoming religious ritual,” with converts to Christianity being disqualified.
Counsel for the Syiem of Mylliem, L Khyriem, told the Court there was “no urgency” as the matter was listed for May 19.
He pointed out that a meeting was convened by the Syiem on May 8, 2026, where the petitioners were present. In that meeting, “the Syiem has urged all concerned to take part in the said ceremony including the Myntris 5 Kur, 11 Kur/ respondent No. 4.”
Justice Diengdoh observed that the core issue involves a “very sensitive area of faith and belief and the adherence to customary, traditional and religious practice of a particular community” and has to be decided in the main petition.
However, the Court noted concerns about the atmosphere.
“As has been submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioners, under a charged atmosphere, it may not be convenient to have the performance of the said religious ceremony in a congenial manner,” the order said.
“Accordingly, however, inconvenient it may appear, this Court taking into consideration not only the sentiment of the people involved, but also the apprehension of a possible law and order situation, is constraint to order for a stay of the said ceremony as far as 19.05.2026 is concerned,” Justice Diengdoh said.
The Court directed that “the respondent Nos. 3 and No. 4 and all those involved in the preparation of the performance of the said religious ceremony, are directed to take note of this order and to act accordingly.”
The stay is an ad-interim measure as respondents No. 4 and 8 have not yet been issued notice.
The matter will be heard by the regular bench on May 19, 2026 along with other related matters. “The stay order is to operate until the next returnable date or until further orders as directed by this Court,” the order said.
