An FIR has been filed in Meghalaya against a YouTuber and social media influencer, Akash Sagar, after a video featuring him and two associates chanting religious slogans in a church, went viral. The controversy arose when the influencer shared the video on his Instagram account, which has over 1.5 million followers.
The footage captures Akash entering the Church of Epiphany in Mawlynnong, situated in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. It has been widely circulated on various platforms and depicts Akash engaging in behavior deemed disrespectful toward the church’s sanctity, including chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram.”
In the video, Akash and his friends enter the church’s altar area, shout slogans, and mockingly modify Christian hymns. A Shillong-based activist subsequently filed a police complaint at the Laitumkhrah Police Station, describing the act as premeditated and intentional. The activist claimed that the influencer’s actions were not merely provocative but aimed at insulting the Christian community and inciting communal tensions in a region recognized for its religious diversity and harmony.
As a result of the complaint, Meghalaya Police registered an FIR against Akash Sagar and his companions, charging them with trespassing, disturbing public order, and insulting religious sentiments.
In reaction to the FIR, Akash Sagar took to social media to refute the claims. In a now-deleted post, he questioned the validity of the accusations, asking, “For saying Jai Shree Ram?” He also posted screenshots of news articles reporting the FIR and accused his detractors of behaving like “traitors.”
The influencer sought to defend his actions by referencing a Karnataka High Court ruling in a different case, which had dismissed charges against individuals accused of chanting religious slogans inside a mosque.
On Thursday, a man entered the Mawlynnong village church and shouted “Jai Shri Ram,” subsequently posting the incident on social media, an official told reporters.
East Khasi Hills SP Sylvester Nongtynger informed the media, “A case has been registered at the Pynursla police station against a person named Akash Sagar following a complaint.” He added that an investigation is underway and efforts are being made to apprehend the suspect.
Social activist Angela Rangad lodged a police complaint on Thursday, calling for legal action against the individual.
“Sagar intentionally and premeditatedly trespassed into the altar area to shout non-Christian songs. This act was aimed at creating communal discord and insulted the minority culture, violating the constitutional rights of religious freedom,” Rangad stated.
The Central Puja Committee (CPC), a prominent Hindu organisation in the state, has condemned the behavior.
“We express our deep concern over the video circulating on social media that outrages and violates the religious sentiments of the people in this peaceful state. We condemn the actions of this individual and urge the police to take strict and exemplary measures against him in accordance with the law,” said CPC president Naba Bhattacharjee.