Amid rising anti-Muslim campaign, viral footage reveals Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation leaders misbehave with clerics
NEW DELHI — In a disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves across India, a video circulating on social media shows leaders of the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO) aggressively confronting Muslim clerics and threatening to demolish what they claim is an “unauthorised” mosque in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR). The footage, which first appeared online on Thursday (November 27) has sparked nationwide outrage, exposing a worrying rise in anti-Muslim sentiment in Northeast India.
The video depicts APIYO General Secretary Tapor Meying and President Taro Sonam Liyak at the contested mosque site. In a tense exchange, Liyak questions a maulana, asking: “Not every Muslim is a terrorist, but why is every terrorist a Muslim? This is the biggest question.” He further alleges that the Quran promotes killing “infidels” as part of jihad. The cleric, however, firmly rejects these claims, clarifying that Islamic scripture permits defensive struggle only, not offensive violence.
The situation escalates when Liyak attempts to coerce the maulana into chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” asserting: “Do you people say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’? If you cannot say it, how can you be true Indians?” The maulana’s refusal, citing that such a chant conflicts with Islamic monotheism, triggers threats from the APIYO leaders. Meying and Liyak then declare the mosque “illegal” and issue an ultimatum: “Remove it as soon as possible. Close it by the day after tomorrow.” Liyak adds a chilling warning: “You don’t say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai,’ so there’s no place for you here. There will be no complaint about this incident.”
Liyak attempts to justify these actions by connecting the confrontation to the ongoing National Games in Arunachal, scheduled to conclude on December 2. “The infiltrators that Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma is driving out are all coming to our state,” he claims, linking the mosque to broader anxieties over migration from Bangladesh and alleged unauthorised religious constructions. He further threatens democratic measures such as strikes or bandhs if the government fails to act.
This episode is not an isolated incident but part of APIYO’s month-long campaign targeting Muslim religious sites, which they allege are illegal and linked to demographic changes caused by migration. On November 13, Liyak publicly demanded the removal of “infiltrators,” claiming they were erecting mosques and madrasas without oversight.
By November 17, APIYO activists issued a five-day ultimatum for the demolition of a Jama Masjid, threatening to launch a “democratic movement” if their demands were not met. A subsequent call for a 12-hour bandh on November 24 was deferred, but the group reiterated calls for banning weekly markets and razing unauthorised mosques.
Alongside allied organisations such as the Indigenous Youth Force of Arunachal Pradesh (IYFA) and the Arunachali Indigenous Youth Forum, APIYO has conducted multiple raids at sites suspected of being illegal, often demanding Inner Line Permits (ILPs) and construction documents while claiming—without evidence—that mosque builders are of Bangladeshi origin.
On November 15, the leaders spoke openly about a “long battle” against so-called “Miya Muslims,” echoing Assam’s anti-infiltration rhetoric.
The Muslim community in Arunachal Pradesh, a minority estimated at under 2% of the population, has strongly denied all claims of illegality, asserting that such allegations are baseless and aim to incite fear. Gayah Limpiya Sultan, PRO of the Capital Jamia Masjid, told reporters on November 15: “All our mosques and madrasas are legally established with proper approvals. No official authority has confirmed any as illegal.” He added that incendiary rhetoric risks undermining the state’s longstanding culture of interfaith harmony. “We urge restraint and dialogue rather than threats and intimidation,” he emphasised.
Several local clerics and Muslim community leaders have echoed these concerns, warning that targeting religious institutions based on unverifiable claims can fracture social cohesion in a region historically marked by ethnic and religious tolerance. “Our mosques are not just places of worship; they are centres of learning and community life,” said Sultan. “Threatening them undermines the very fabric of Arunachal Pradesh society.”
The video has ignited intense debate on social media platforms, with Muslim organisations linking the harassment to broader anti-Muslim policies in Assam, including eviction drives spearheaded by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Critics argue that the Northeast, long celebrated for its ethnic and tribal diversity, is witnessing a dangerous spillover of communal politics fuelled by fringe groups and political agendas.
On X (formerly Twitter), posts condemning APIYO’s actions have garnered significant support, with over a thousand likes on key shares highlighting the Islamophobic nature of the campaign. Commentators have drawn parallels to similar incidents elsewhere in India, including cases in Uttar Pradesh in 2022 and Haryana in 2024, where Muslims were coerced into chanting nationalist slogans under duress.
Supporters of APIYO, however, frame the organisation’s actions as a legitimate defence of indigenous rights and lands. Posts praising the group’s “resolve” and “patriotism” have circulated widely, although no formal complaints, FIRs, or arrests have been filed as of Friday. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has yet to publicly respond, despite prior assurances that illegal constructions would face legal scrutiny.
This episode has thrown a spotlight on the delicate social fabric of Arunachal Pradesh, where communal relations have traditionally been peaceful. Rights groups and legal experts warn that APIYO’s actions risk violating constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, equality, and protection against coercion. The targeting of a minority community, particularly one with no verified legal violations, signals the rise of vigilantism under the guise of indigenous rights.
“Threatening any religious community is unacceptable,” said Ayesha Rahman, a human rights advocate based in Guwahati. “These actions not only jeopardise the safety and dignity of Muslims in Arunachal Pradesh but also send a chilling message to minorities across the Northeast.”
The incident has also sparked concerns that political leaders may remain silent in the face of communal intimidation, potentially emboldening fringe groups. Local residents, observing the standoff, fear that unchecked provocations could escalate into larger conflicts. “We have lived alongside each other for decades without tension,” said Nazir Ahmed, a long-time resident of Itanagar. “Now, with these threats, the peace we have known is at risk.”
APIYO’s narrative linking Muslim communities to migration, particularly from Bangladesh, reflects a broader trend of targeting minorities with misinformation. Experts warn that such rhetoric not only distorts reality but can also exacerbate existing anxieties around land, identity, and cultural preservation. Arunachal Pradesh, unlike Assam, has not faced large-scale migration crises, making these claims of “infiltration” largely unfounded.
“Accusing a small, legally documented minority of being infiltrators is deeply misleading,” said Dr Rizwan Khan, a social policy researcher. “It diverts attention from real developmental issues and instead foments communal divisions.”
As the video continues to circulate, Muslim groups and human rights organisations are calling on the Arunachal Pradesh government to intervene, ensure the safety of religious institutions, and hold perpetrators accountable.
The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of communal harmony in a region that has historically resisted divisive politics.
“Dialogue, transparency, and adherence to the law are essential,” said Sultan. “We are Indian citizens, and we respect the country’s values. But our faith and rights cannot be compromised by threats and intimidation.”
Analysts note that how state authorities respond in the coming days could set a precedent for minority protection in the Northeast. With the National Games ongoing and national attention focused on Arunachal Pradesh, the stakes for communal peace and constitutional integrity are high.
