SHILLONG, FEB 25: The Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Wednesday burned an effigy of Sunil Deodhar, former BJP national secretary and RSS leader, outside the BJP office in Shillong, condemning his recent remarks as divisive and harmful to communal harmony.
HYC president Roykupar Synrem said Deodhar’s statement was a dangerous attempt to create division among communities in the state.
“Sunil Deodhar’s statement is nothing but a political poison aimed at dividing the peaceful existence of people following different faiths in Meghalaya, and HYC will not allow such dangerous narratives to take root in our land,” Synrem said in a statement.
Remarks Called Misleading & Divisive
Synrem criticised what he described as “irresponsible, misleading and divisive” comments alleging harassment of Indigenous faith followers, stating that such claims are false and risk provoking communal tension.
He emphasised that the Khasi-Jaintia Indigenous faith is an integral part of local identity and civilisation.
Portraying its followers as persecuted, he said, is “a gross distortion and an insult to the people of the state as a whole.”
Demand for Apology
According to the HYC, Deodhar’s remarks amount to “calculated political propaganda aimed at polarising communities” and interfering in the state’s internal social and cultural affairs.
“We demand that Sunil Deodhar immediately withdraw his statement and tender an unconditional public apology to the Indigenous communities of Meghalaya,” Synrem said.
Warning Against Communal Division
The HYC president also urged the RSS and BJP leadership to restrain their leaders.
“Meghalaya is not a laboratory for communal experiments. Any attempt to divide our people on religious lines will be met with full force of the HYC and the community as a whole,” he warned.
During the protest, members shouted slogans against the BJP and RSS.