Outcry over Sunil Deodhar’s remarks against Christians
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 24: Under pressure, the BJP Meghalaya on Tuesday sought a retraction and public apology from party leader and senior RSS member Sunil Deodhar over his remarks against the Christian community at the Indigenous Faith Forum held in Pynter under Pynursla subdivision a few days ago.
BJP state general secretary Wankitbok Pohshna expressed deep concern in a strongly-worded letter written to Deodhar.
Pohshna said Deodhar’s comments at the Indigenous Faith Forum and at the inauguration of a school at Pynter had caused “deep anguish and disbelief.”
He said the remarks reflected bias against Christians, showed contempt towards the Holy Bible, and had references to Jesus Christ as a “Dkhar” (non-Khasi).
Pohshna said the statements had hurt the sentiments of the Christian community in Meghalaya and also those who uphold the principles of Ekatma Manavaad (Integral Humanism), Sarva Dharma Sambhav, and Sarva Dharma Samman — values he described as core to the nation and echoed within the BJP.
Acknowledging the importance of preserving indigenous faiths such as Seng Khasi and Niam Tre, Pohshna emphasised that religion is a personal matter and should not be publicly ridiculed. He cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an example, stating that the PM has consistently expressed respect for Christianity and often recalls the teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly during Christmas.
Referring to the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” Pohshna said public discourse must reflect harmony, inclusivity and mutual respect.
He said Deodhar’s remarks warrant serious introspection as they risk undermining unity and communal harmony.
The RSS leader, who has frequently targeted religious shifts in the Northeast, was the campaign manager for Modi in Varanasi in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Recently, he inaugurated the Mawkyrnot-based institution with an explicit mandate to “counter religious conversions” in Meghalaya.
