People like Akash Sagar are undermining peace efforts in NE India

I believe influencers like Akash Sagar and all the terrible 2024 Christmas-related news from across the country are somehow making the work of our Army personnel and the Government of India in the NE states difficult and even diluting them.

NE has a long history of insurgency and to say that none of the insurgent groups there don’t enjoy any sort of public support would be a very optimistic statement. Some don’t want to settle for anything less than sovereignty.

Now, Christmas in the Christian-dominated states in the NE is BIG. Even media houses there shut down during the festive season. 

Over the years, the Government of India has been able to make significant dents in the support of the people towards the insurgent groups and organisations like Assam Rifles have been constantly trying to make a good rapport with the people even in the remote villages. The army joins in with the locals during Christmas, as it is a great opportunity to communicate and interact with the locals and share the festive greetings. Another factor for the falling popularity of the insurgent groups can be attributed to the cases of extortion of people.

I have never seen people around me who follow Christianity publicly speaking out against the celebrations of Hindu festivals in the predominantly Christian-dominated states. Hindu festivals are celebrated peacefully. What they might think in religious philosophy is a different thing.

This time, in the few local Facebook and WhatsApp groups I am in, I have seen that such news (Akash Sagar and Christmas-related) being shared over and over, making much traction and criticism, and putting Hinduism in poor light. See, religion is a great unifier, and indeed, it is the opium of the masses. And yes, almost every news story related to attacks on Christians and Christianity gets shared in them.

If the insurgent groups capitalise on this evolving sense of threat, the days ahead can be difficult. The stupidity of people like Akash Sagar should be contained for the nation to remain united and for not strengthening voices calling for sovereignty.

PS: I am a guy born and brought up in a family that follows Hinduism in a Christian-majority state in NE India and no one FORCES any of us to get converted to Christianity by going AGAINST OUR WILL.