Angela Rangad, a leader of Thma U Rangli-Juki (TUR), filed a formal complaint on Thursday against Akash Sagar, accusing him of trespassing into the Church of Epiphany in Mawlynnong, East Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, and defiling its sanctity by chanting slogans unrelated to Christianity and mockingly singing at the altar.
In her complaint to the Laitumkhrah police station, Rangad noted that she discovered videos uploaded by Sagar on Facebook and Instagram, which depicted him intentionally desecrating the church in a calculated manner.
According to Rangad, the act was deliberate and carried out with the help of two accomplices seen in the video.
She alleged it aimed to incite communal discord, insult the cultural identity of a minority group, and promote a majoritarian ideology of hate, violating constitutional protections of religious freedom.
“These videos instill fear and risk disturbing public order. Moreover, they are being widely circulated by social media accounts promoting religious supremacy and intolerance,” Rangad stated.
She urged the authorities to take strict legal action against Sagar for his unlawful actions and conspiracy.
She also called for social media platforms to remove the videos, penalise their creator, and address those spreading them.
“Legal proceedings must ensure that such divisive and harmful acts are not repeated,” she emphasised in her complaint.
“This act is an attempt to demean and divide us. Many overlook the rising communal hatred in the country. While we know that Muslims and Christians in other regions have faced persecution over the past decade, we assumed we were safe here.
This incident signals that certain factions are working towards establishing a ‘Hindu Rashtra,’” Rangad said to reporters.
She stressed that this incident is not an isolated case.
“The custodians of the Church in Mawlynnong should also file complaints, as this crime affects all of us. It is a calculated attempt to spread hatred and create division. We hope the police will ensure that this individual is brought back to Meghalaya to face justice, as he did not act alone,” she added.
Rangad also criticised state leaders, questioning, “Will you remain silent in the face of such blatant hatred in your state, or will you act decisively to hold the perpetrator accountable and prevent such incidents in the future?”
Agnes Kharshiing, president of the Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO), expressed concern, saying, “Respect among communities is crucial. Acts like these, which spread divisiveness and hatred, send a deeply concerning message.”
The Central Puja Committee (CPC) of Meghalaya also condemned the incident after seeing a viral video of Sagar allegedly desecrating the church.
In a statement issued on Friday, the CPC president urged district authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and take legal action, including strict punitive measures against the offender.
“Meghalaya has long been celebrated for its religious harmony and unity among diverse communities. This treasured legacy must not be tarnished by such irresponsible acts intended to disrupt the brotherhood among people of various faiths,” the statement concluded.
