SHILLONG: Meghalaya’s Education Minister Rakkam Sangma finds himself embroiled in controversy following allegations of delivering a hate speech during the recent Lok Sabha election campaign.
After Voice of the People’s party (VPP) lodged a formal complaint against Sangma over his alleged divisive speech on June 18, the principal Opposition, Trinamool Congress has urged for strict action against the National People’s Party (NPP) legislator from Rongara Siju, on Sunday.
“It is a question of utmost seriousness when a member of the legislative Assembly makes such divisive statements,” Mukul M Sangma told the press, highlighting the potential repercussions on the state’s social fabric.
Referring to similar incidents in Manipur that led to ethnic conflicts, Mukul said that the government’s silence on this matter is concerning, and “we urge immediate action to maintain peace and harmony”.
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“The deputy commissioner should have taken cognisance of the alleged hate speech and initiated legal proceedings,” he added, urging the administration to invoke relevant laws.
Earlier, the VPP, through its Finance Secretary Danny Langstieh, had filed an FIR against the Education Minister, citing his alleged attempt to “stoke communal tensions” in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills region during election campaigning.
The controversy deepened after a video surfaced on social media purportedly showing Rakkam making provocative remarks against the VPP.
The VPP condemned the Minister’s remarks as a direct attack on their party’s integrity and called for immediate legal action.
As the issue gathers momentum, pressure mounts on the Meghalaya government to respond to the allegations against the Education Minister.
However, the authenticity of the video remains unverified at this time.
The Meghalaya Education Minister or his office has not yet issued a formal response to the allegations.
