A social media user named Seyamal Koch has gotten himself into hot water by posting content online that allegedly denigrated the Garo community.
At least two FIRs have been filed against Koch for this particular content. He has subsequently issued an apology but it is unknown whether this will be enough to calm tempers.
One of the complainants is the Garobadha unit of the A·chik State Peoples’ Front (ASPF). Koch, at least according to his Facebook profile, is a resident of Garobadha in South West Garo Hills.
The ASPF said today that is filing the complaint against Koch for defamation, promoting enmity and inciting communal hatred through social media.
Yesterday Koch had uploaded a video, the FIR stated, on Facebook in which he said (in Hindi), “Garo idiot m**********r”.
This statement was reportedly made in the context of a political expression by one solitary Garo individual but effectively became a statement that “deliberately targets and defames the entire Garo community,” the ASPF said. “It is abusive, vulgar and communal in nature and is likely to provoke hatred and disturb peace in the region.”
Today, Koch apologised, saying on Facebook that he did not know the name of the person he was directing his rude comments towards and therefore only referred to him as Garo. “Whatever happened, I was wrong. I made a mistake. Sorry,” he said.
