FIR On Influencer In Meghalaya: An FIR has been registered against a social media influencer and his two friends in Meghalaya. It has been alleged in the FIR that the influencer raised religious slogans inside the church and insulted its sanctity. The incident came to light when influencer Akash Sagar posted a video on his Instagram account, in which he is seen raising religious slogans in a church with his friends.
The incident took place at the Epiphany Church in Mawlynnong in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district. In the video, Akash Sagar and his friends were seen raising slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” and singing modified versions of Christian hymns in the altar area of the church. Akash Sagar had posted this video on his Instagram account, where he has more than 1.5 million followers.
FIR registered against influencer under these sections
After the video went viral, a person from Shillong lodged a complaint at Laitumkhara police station. The complaint alleged that all this was planned and its objective was not only to insult Christianity but also to disturb the communal harmony. Police filed an FIR under sections related to encroachment, disturbing public harmony, and insulting religious beliefs.
Akash Sagar’s reaction to the allegations
Responding to the FIR, Akash Sagar took to social media to refute the allegations. In a now deleted post, Akash raised questions on the basis of the complaint and asked, “To say Jai Shri Ram?” He also shared a screenshot of the news article reporting the FIR and said that those who are calling it wrong are acting like traitors.
Akash attempted to justify his actions by citing a Karnataka High Court judgment in a separate case, which had dismissed criminal proceedings against persons accused of raising religious slogans inside a mosque.
