Shillong, Dec 27: A video of chanting “Jai Shree Ram”, a Hindu religious slogan, by a social media influencer inside a church at Mawlyngnong, has caused massive outrage from the majority Christian followers in Meghalaya.
The video shot inside Epiphany Church spread on the internet like wildfire, thanks to the massive 1.5 million followers in Instagram of the influencer ‘Akash Sagar’.
The incident, alleged to be mocking Christmas, has led to significant backlash online and offline. With 939,000 views so far, the social media post has been flooded with messages condemning his actions.
Shillong-based social activist Angela Rangad already lodged an FIR against Akash Sagar at Laitumkhrah Police Station. Calling for strict action, she said, “This act was deliberately done to create communal disharmony, insulting the minority culture and to establish a majoritarian culture of hate in violation of all constitutional rights of religious freedom.”.
Local Christian groups and citizens have also voiced their concerns, urging authorities to take swift action to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The Central Puja Committee (CPC), a leading Hindu religious organisaiton of Meghalaya, also condemned the act and urged the district administration to investigate the matter and initiate immediate action as per law and take stringent exemplary action against the offender.