"No need for the public to feel insecure," DC Keerthi Jalli on Bajrang Dal's diktat to Hindus against visiting churches  

On December 3, 2020, during the working committee meeting of Bajrang Dal in Silchar, Cachar district general secretary of the saffron outfit, Mithun Nath issued a diktat. Keeping the recent chain of events in Meghalaya on the backdrop, Nath said, “Bajrang Dal will brutally beat Hindus if they visit churches on December 25.”

Barak Bulletin was the first publication to cover the speech, and was then followed up by media across country . The report was trending on social media. Many netizens replied by posting “Challenge accepted” while there were admirers of Bajrang Dal who reminded the warning.

In the Congress’ meeting, AICC’s in-charge for Assam and former minister Jitendra Singh urged the government to take Suo Moto action and ban the outfit. “The constitution allows Indians the freedom to visit churches not only on Christmas but whenever they want. If anybody is breaking the law by imposing a new diktat, it is the government’s duty to take cognizance,” said Singh who is in a Barak Valley visit.

The speech was delivered in Banga Bhavan Silchar and it has not gone unnoticed. However, senior officials in the Police department confirmed that not a single formal complaint has been filed. “It seems, this is just another social media outrage,” said a source in the Police department. “Normally, in Silchar, we see FIRs being lodged for all sort of things. But there is nothing against this speech,” the source confirmed.

Cachar SP Bhanwar Lal Meena was not available for comment and DIG Southern Range, Dilip Dey refused to comment at this stage. However, if sources are to be believed, then a meeting was held at SP’s office and they have decided to beef up the presence of forces in Oriental School and its nearby areas. “See, while mocking the press, vandalisation was also mentioned during the speech. Gauging the sensitivity, Police will take actions to prevent a law and order situation,” said another source in the Police department.

There is a rumour that the deputy commissioner of Cachar, Keerthi Jalli has asked SP Meena to take Suo Moto cognizance, but Barak Bulletin could not confirm it from any official source. However, it is true that the deputy commissioner took note of the video and the threat that came along.

A source in DC’s office informed that the deputy commissioner has asked the officials to ensure from district administration’s side that all Fundamental rights including the right to freedom of religion will be ensured. “She was of the view that such statements (Hindus will be beaten…) are unfortunate. At the same time, she also asked the administration to ensure all steps are taken for people to feel safe,” said the source in DC’s office.

When reached out for a statement, DC Keerthi Jalli said, “We are looking into it. No need for the public to feel insecure.”

Mithun Nath during his speech mentioned that the Khasi Students’ Union has locked the gates of Ramakrishna Mission in Shillong. Explaining the rationale behind his speech, Nath said it is important to showcase self-respect and that is why he has warned the Hindus against visiting Churches on Christmas. It is true that the KSU has been torturing Bengalis and people belonging to other non-tribal communities. A month back, KSU had painted the heart of Shillong with posters that read “All Bengalis living in Meghalaya are Bangladeshis.” Several reports of KSU members shutting down shops in Bengali populated areas of Ichamati has been published.

However, KSU did not lock the gates of Ramakrishna Mission in Shillong. As reported earlier by Barak Bulletin, there is a festival of the Christians in Meghalaya called Saad Pamlang in the style of Thanksgiving Day in America. It is basically a harvest festival which takes place in the villages. The Khasi Students’ Union recently locked down various government offices, schools, colleges etc. in Shillong ahead of the festival. One of them was a cultural centre of Ramkrishna Mission located at Quinton Road, Shillong.

“I have had conversations with people and as it turns out, the information was misinterpreted and the gates of Ramakrishna Mission were never locked,” said Silchar MP Rajdeep Roy. Swami Hitakamananda, the senior monk and secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Shillong had told Barak Bulletin that the Mission premises and the dispensary were functioning properly, it was the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre that was locked by the Khasi Students’ Union.

For the freshers, Ramakrishna Mission Shillong is divided into three parts. The Ashram is located in Sebastian Bia Road Laitumkhrah, Shillong – 793003. The second part, that caters to the medical needs – Ramakrishna Mission-Charitable Dispensary is located in Main Road Laitumkhrah, Shillong – 793003. And the part that was locked by KSU, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Centre (Sub Centre) is located in Quinton Road Police Bazar, Shillong – 793001.

According to reliable sources in the Mission, KSU was assured that the computer training centre will be kept shut keeping the festivities in mind. Despite the assurance, the members of KSU used threats and exhibited muscle power by shutting the gate of the training centre. “A senior monk smiled and said, “More than 70 per cent of our students who come and enrol themselves for various courses belong to the Khasi community. Why are you locking your gate to knowledge and empowerment,” the monk asked the members of KSU but none of them responded.

It is a fact that the Maharajas of the Mission have been providing services in the hills since 1928. When the government could not provide services like health, education, food etc. to the common people, Ramakrishna Mission did the job. They did not do the work there only for Bengalis or Hindus. The members of the Ramakrishna Mission have equally served the Christian people of the Khasi community. In fact, the renowned great Hindu philosopher Swami Vivekananda had also given a speech at the Quinton Hall located in Quinton Road, Shillong on the invitation of the then British commissioner. The same building was locked but the Ramakrishna Mission in Shillong was not locked.

The ball is now on the administration’s court. It is clear from the social media outrage that many Hindus will visit the Church on Christmas day. It is also clear that the threat from Mithun Nath will be backed by the admirers of the group. Now, what happens to law and order is something that only unfold with time.