Shillong, Dec 27: The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) on Tuesday lodged an FIR against former cricketer-turned-politician Kirti Azad for disrespecting the traditional Khasi attire.

In the FIR filed with the Officer In-charge Sadar police station, HITO education secretary Arnell Nongdhar said the tweet uploaded by Trinamool Congress leader and former MP, Kirti Azad, has not only insulted the Prime Minister of the country but more so, he has blatantly disrespected and insulted Meghalaya’s traditional attires, especially the Khasi traditional attire.

“The same is highly denigrating and is a slur on the culture of the state…the said actions by Kirti Azad are highly provocative, have caused severe unrest, prejudice and slander, the same cannot be overlooked and is a direct insult to the Khasi community. As such, I therefore request your good self to take appropriate action against the perpetrators for insulting the culture and people of the state,” Nongdhar stated in the FIR.

Meanwhile, the HITO has also called for a peaceful procession on December 30.

“In order to uphold our self-respect and proud history as well as cleanse us from such shameful insult, the HITO will take out a peaceful procession on Friday 30th December 2022, which is also the day when we will solemnly commemorate the 160th death of our legendary Martyr U Woh Kiang Nangbah,” HITO president Donbok Dkhar said in a statement.

He said that the procession will commence from Motphran at 11am and proceed through GS Road and culminate at the U Soso Tham.

“Processionists are urged to take out their traditional wear and put it on proudly so that the world will witness the grandeur of our traditional attire on this day,” Dkhar said.

Furthermore, the HITO has called upon all Meghalayans, which include the indigenous sons and daughters of the soil and ‘Raiot’ (People born and brought up in this land cutting across community, caste, or creed), for they too represent the Abode of the Clouds wherever they are.

Dkhar said the HITO would also like to iterate that since this will be a peaceful procession, there shall be no disruption to trade and commerce in the city and all shops and commercial establishments are requested to ply their trade normally without any apprehension or fear.

“This is a purely democratic and progressive manner of displaying our solidarity and universal pride towards our forever rich heritage that has earned the respect and love of millions of people across the world,” he added.