An FIR has been registered in Meghalaya against social media influencer Akash Sagar after a video of him and two companions chanting religious slogans inside a church went viral, according to an NDTV report. The incident took place at the Church of Epiphany in Mawlynnong, East Khasi Hills district.
The video, posted on Akash’s Instagram account, which has over 1.5 million followers, shows him and his companions entering the altar area, shouting slogans such as "Jai Shri Ram," and altering Christian hymns while singing. The complaint filed by local residents alleges that their actions desecrated the sanctity of the church.
NDTV reported that a Shillong-based activist lodged a police complaint at the Laitumkhrah Police Station, describing the act as premeditated and deliberate. The activist accused the influencer of "intentionally insulting the Christian faith and attempting to provoke communal discord" in a region known for its religious diversity and harmony.
Local residents have expressed outrage, calling for strict action against the influencer. Police have launched an investigation into the matter.In response to the FIR, Akash Sagar took to social media to dismiss the allegations. In a now-deleted post, he questioned the basis of the complaint, stating, "For saying Jai Shree Ram?" He also shared screenshots of news articles reporting the FIR and accused his critics of acting like "traitors," the report added.
The report further added that the influencer attempted to justify his actions by referencing a Karnataka High Court ruling in a separate case, which dismissed criminal proceedings against individuals accused of shouting religious slogans inside a mosque.