SHILLONG, JUN 4: Congress women leaders on Thursday filed an FIR at Sadar Police Station against a YouTube channel for allegedly defaming MPCC president and former MP Vincent H Pala, calling the remarks “derogatory” and politically timed.
President of the Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee (MPMCC) Joplin Shylla said the complaint names one Ronnie Rani, who operates the channel Ka Jingshisha (‘The Truth’).
“Ronnie Rani, through a channel called Ka Jingshisha, or ‘The Truth’, has been defaming Vincent H. Pala, our president and former MP,” Shylla said.
“He made defamatory and derogatory remarks, calling him a snake and a leech. We came here to file an FIR.”
Expressing anguish over the video, Shylla said, “As the Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress, we are deeply pained by Ronnie Rani’s actions. We saw the YouTube video and were shocked by his slander against the Congress. He did not stop there—he also targeted our present leaders and those who are no longer with us.”
She objected to the language used against Pala. “They used words we find unacceptable. Against Bah Pala, who has nothing to do with these issues, they made all manner of baseless allegations. He called him a snake, a leech—such terms. As Khasis, we do not consider it proper to slander one of our own. If he has a personal grudge, he should address it privately, not in the public domain.”
Shylla said the party was unfamiliar with Rani personally but aware of his platform.
“We don’t know Bah Ronnie well, but he runs a channel called Ka Jingpynshai – The Truth. We found the objectionable remarks yesterday on his YouTube channel. We have since filed an FIR at Sadar Police Station.”
Legal counsel Kynpham Kharlyngdoh said the timing raised concerns.
“In normal times it would be one thing, but this is election season and some may try to take advantage,” Kharlyngdoh said.
“We have filed a complaint against the channel over a video titled ‘Statement against Congress candidate Vincent H Pala byelection 26.’” “We filed the FIR with Sadar Police Station against the channel and the YouTube video,” he added.
“We also met East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem to seek his intervention so that the law takes its own course. Calling someone a snake or a leech is not acceptable. This is not how public discourse should be conducted.” According to Kharlyngdoh, the video targeted multiple leaders. “In the video, he accused Dr Mukul, Sanjay Das, and especially Bah Pala of destroying the Congress. He also spoke against the party as a whole.”
