Guwahati: A wave of public outrage has swept across Meghalaya after an influencer was filmed chanting non-Christian slogans and mocking Christian songs inside the Church of Epiphany in Mawlynnong. The incident, which took place in a sacred area of the church, has sparked widespread condemnation, leading to legal action and calls for stringent measures to prevent such acts of communal disharmony.
The video, shared by the individual on his social media platforms, shows him and two companions entering the altar area of the church. He is captured shouting slogans, singing mockingly altered Christian hymns, and finally chanting “Jai Shree Ram” in the church. The video has since gone viral, through the individual’s Instagram account, which has a following of 1.5 million, continuing to host the footage as of this report.
Activist Angela Rangad was one of the first to take legal action, filing an FIR at the Laitumkhrah Police Station in Shillong. In her complaint, Rangad highlighted that Sagar’s actions were premeditated and aimed at desecrating the religious sanctity of the Church of Epiphany, located in East Khasi Hills. She emphasized that the act was designed to create communal disharmony and insult the minority Christian community. Rangad expressed concern that the videos, which are being shared widely by social media handles promoting religious majoritarianism, could incite public disorder and escalate tensions.
Rangad’s FIR urged authorities to take strong legal action against the individuals involved in the incident. She also called on social media platforms to take down the videos and ban the accounts involved. “This person needs to be booked, and legal action should ensue to ensure that such criminal acts that threaten the peace do not take place again,” Rangad said.
The incident has also drawn sharp criticism from the Central Puja Committee (CPC) of Meghalaya. The president of the CPC condemned the act, stating that Meghalaya is known for its peaceful coexistence of various faiths, and such behavior was contrary to the state’s values. The committee has urged the district administration to investigate the matter thoroughly and take strict legal action against the offenders.
As of now, the videos remain accessible on the individual’s Instagram account, further fueling anger among residents and religious groups in the state.
The incident has raised important questions about the role of social media influencers in shaping public discourse and the responsibility they hold in promoting communal harmony, especially in a region as diverse as Meghalaya. Authorities are now under pressure to take swift action to prevent the escalation of this matter into a larger communal conflict.
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