Shillong: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has lodged an FIR against Cabinet Minister Rakkam A Sangma, citing a viral video in which the Meghalaya Education Minister allegedly made defamatory remarks against the party during an election campaign.
In the FIR submitted to the East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, VPP finance secretary Danny Langstieh claimed that the video contained baseless accusations that the VPP would “destroy, kill, oppress, and annihilate other communities.” Langstieh asserted that these allegations were entirely false and malicious.
Langstieh emphasized that such inflammatory and communal rhetoric is not only unlawful but also dangerous, as it could incite communal tension, riots, and violence.
He referred to a Supreme Court of India ruling in the case of Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay vs Union of India & ORS, which mandates strict action against hate speech under Sections 153A, 153B, 295A, and 505 of the IPC, among others.
The Supreme Court ruling also stipulates that authorities should take suo motu action to register cases of hate speech even in the absence of a formal complaint.
Langstieh criticized the lack of action from the authorities since the speech was made, urging immediate steps against Minister Sangma. He warned that failure to act according to the Supreme Court’s directions would be considered contempt of court, warranting appropriate measures against non-compliant officers.
The VPP asserted that Minister Sangma’s remarks were clearly intended to incite enmity and hatred between different regional groups and communities within the state, thereby threatening public harmony and tranquillity.