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{{Short description|Hinduism in the Indian state}}
{{Cleanup|reason=Confusing and in need of more copy-editing|date=April 2020}}

{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Meghalayan Hindus
| image = File:Nartiang Durga temple.jpg
| image_caption = Nartiang Durga Temple
| population = 342,078 <br />('''11.53%''' of the Meghalaya's population) {{decrease}}
| region1 = [[East Khasi Hills]]
| pop1 = 144,949 (17.55%)
| region2 = [[West Garo Hills district|West Garo Hills]]
| pop2 = 90,294 (19.11%)
| region3 = [[Ri Bhoi district|Ri Bhoi]]
| pop3 = 30,957 (11.96%)
| langs = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Nepali language|Nepali]], [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[Koch language|Koch]], [[Hajong language|Hajong]], [[Rabha language|Rabha]], <br /> [[Pnar language|Pnar]]
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
}}

[[Hinduism]] is a minority religion in the [[Meghalaya]] state of [[India]] constituting 12% of the state's population.<ref name="census2011">{{cite web|title=Population by religion community – 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=Census of India, 2011|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|archive-date=25 August 2015}}</ref> The [[Nartiang Durga Temple]] in Meghalaya is one of the 51 [[Shakta pithas]] on Earth and is considered by Hindus of Meghalaya as the permanent abode of Goddess Durga.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Das|first=Manosh|date=15 October 2010 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lofty-Himalayas-notwithstanding-the-tribal-people-of-Nartiang-in-the-Jaintia-Hills-of-Meghalaya-truly-believe-that-their-scenic-little-hamlet-is-the-permanent-abode-of-Goddess-Durga-Perched-atop-a-hillock-is-the-more-than-600-year-old-and-ancient-Durgabari-a-simple-house-made-of-stones-and-wood-complete-with-tin-roofing-Revered-as-one-of-the-51-Shakti-Peethas-the-temple-has-been-drawing-a-large-number-of-pilgrims-from-all-over-the-country-on-occasion-of-Durga-Puja-/articleshow/6754889.cms|title=Lofty Himalayas notwithstanding, the tribal people of Nartiang in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya truly believe that their scenic little hamlet is the "permanent abode" of Goddess Durga. Perched atop a hillock is the more than 600-year old and ancient Durgabari - a simple house made of stones and wood complete with tin roofing. Revered as one of the 51 Shakta pithas, the temple has been drawing a large number of pilgrims from all over the country on occasion of Durga Puja. - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=20 December 2019}}</ref> Hinduism is a popular religion practice by Rabhas, Hajongs, Kochs, Rajbongshis, Mikirs, Bengalis, Nepalis, Biharis etc.<ref name="census2011"/>

== History ==
Excavations conducted by [[Archaeological Survey of India]] at Vadagokugiri in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills during 1991-92 revealed the remains of a major ancient township and religious centre dating from the 2nd century BCE. The township was a well-fortified urban settlement and shows the evidence of a blend of Buddhism and Hinduism. The site features extensive fortifications with bastions, gateways and a moat, enclosing temples, tanks, and habitation zones. Excavations also revealed the first stupa in Meghalaya. Nearly 20 burnt-brick temples have also been discovered displaying advanced architectural features like garbhagriha, antarala and mandapa, richly embellished with terracotta depictions of deities such as Ganesha, Durga, Sarasvati, and Kali. An octagonal Shiva temple was also discovered in this region.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Purbasha |date=2025-10-27 |title=ASI Reveals 2nd Century BCE Township in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills |url=https://meghalayanews24.in/asi-reveals-2nd-century-bce-township-in-meghalayas-west-garo-hills/ |access-date=2025-10-28 |website=Meghalaya News 24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Archaeology: Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Meghalaya |url=https://www.megartsculture.gov.in/arch.htm |access-date=2025-10-28 |website=www.megartsculture.gov.in}}</ref>

During medieval period of 17th century, Meghalaya's [[Khasi and Jaintia Hills|Khasi, Jaintia]] and neighbouring tribes hill areas came under the [[Jaintia kingdom]]. The Jaintia king [[Jaintia kingdom|Jaso Manik]] (1606–1641 A.D.) had married [[Lakshmi Narayana]], the daughter of the Hindu Koch king [[Nara Narayan]] of neighbouring [[Kamata Kingdom]]. It is believed that it was his wife Lakshmi Narayana who have influenced the Jaintia Royalty King Jaso Manik and his [[jaintia people|tribe]] to embrace [[Shaktism|Shakti]] sect of Hinduism as she herself was an ardent devotee of Goddess [[Durga]]. Jaintia King [[Jaintia kingdom|Dhan Manik]] had made Nartiang the summer capital of the Khasi-Jaintia Kingdom about 6 centuries ago. One night, the goddess appeared in his dream and informed him of the significance of this place and told him to build a temple in her honour. Following this, the [[Nartiang Durga Temple|Jainteshwari temple]] in Nartiang was established.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-09-12 |title=History lessons from Nartiang |url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2020/09/13/history-lessons-from-nartiang/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=The Shillong Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="club">{{Cite web |title=Hindu Jaintias of Meghalaya & Worship of Ma Jayanteswári - The Verandah Club |url=https://theverandahclub.com/article/hindu-jaintias-of-meghalaya-worship-of-ma-jayanteswari-591 |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=theverandahclub.com |language=en}}</ref> The temple's strategic location and presence of weapons like [[cannons]] suggests that it must have been a fort of the Jaintia Kings in the past. According to legends, Devi's left thigh is believed to have fallen at Nartiang in the Jaintia Hills. It is one of the holiest sites for devotees of the Shaktism sect of Hinduism across the world. The Goddess came to be known as "Jainteshwari devi" in native [[Pnar language]].<ref name="club" />

[[File:Nature made Shivalinga in Mawjymbuin Cave Mawsynram Meghalaya India.jpg|thumb|Naturally made Shivalinga in Mawjymbuin Cave, [[Mawsynram]], Meghalaya]]

Before 20th Century, the majority of [[Khasi people|Khasi]], [[Jaintia people|Jaintia]] and [[Garo people|Garo]] tribes of [[Khasi and Jaintia Hills|Khasi-Jaintia]] and [[Garo hills]] of Meghalaya were primarily the followers of their native tribal religions which bears some similarities with that of [[Hindu religion]] specially the ethnic religion of [[Austro-Asiatic]] Khasi-Pnar people, known by the name ([[Jaintia people|Ka Niamtre]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/feature/missionary-is-not-a-popular-word-in-india-but-in-the-khasi-hills-it-holds-a-different-meaning/751501/|title= Khasi leader stated that, "We are not Hindus though some of our practices are similar."|website=ThePrint|date= 16 October 2021}}</ref> In Khasi festival Behdeinkhlam, Lukhmi have strong links with larger [[Vedic Civilization]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Behdienkhlam Festival |url=https://meghalaya.gov.in/behdienkhlam |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=Meghalaya Government Portal |language=en}}</ref> The Khasi tribal goddess Lukhmi/Lukhimai is believed to be “tribalised” form of Hindu goddess [[Lakshmi]]. Also during that festival, the rot (which was basically made up of Bamboo and wood and are tall tower like structures) cast away after the religious festivities are over which bears some similarities with the worship of the Hindu deity [[Jagannath]] which also involves similar structures which are called rath ([[chariot]]).<ref>{{cite web | title=The Khasis as Hindus | Economic and Political Weekly | date=March 2016 | url=https://www.epw.in/journal/2016/9/web-exclusives/khasis-hindus.html }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-08-03 |title=Niamtre, Hinduism and Ram Temple in Ayodhya |url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2020/08/03/niamtre-hinduism-and-ram-temple-in-ayodhya/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=The Shillong Times |language=en-US}}</ref> In Syndai, a large [[Ganesha]] sculpture have been found carved out on a large rock, the local Khasi-Jaintia villagers call it “U Khmi” and revered it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Syndai hamlet in ruins - Archaeological remains of buildings of Jaintia kings suffer from government neglect |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/historical-syndai-hamlet-in-ruins-archaeological-remains-of-buildings-of-jaintia-kings-suffer-from-government-neglect/cid/339084 |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |language=en}}</ref> The Mawjymbuin Cave of [[Mawsynram]] resembles the '[[Lingam|Shivalinga]]' similar to that of [[Amarnath Temple|Amarnath cave]]. It is one of the holiest site in [[Shaivism]]. The Local [[Khasi people|villagers]] have preserved the Shivalinga for years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Karmakar |first=Rahul |date=2019-11-10 |title=In Meghalaya, Christians care for Shivalingams |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/in-meghalaya-christians-care-for-shivalingams/article29939614.ece |access-date=2024-03-05 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> During the time of [[Kanwar Yatra]] (An annual pilgrimage of devotees of Lord [[Shiva]]), utmost spiritual fervour is seen among the people.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-08-12 |title=Pilgrims throng Mawjymbuin Cave in Meghalaya |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/shillong/pilgrims-throng-mawjymbuin-cave-in-meghalaya/articleshow/70640918.cms |access-date=2024-03-05 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Mawjymbuin caves emerge as tourist hotspot in Meghalaya | url=https://www.aninews.in/news/lifestyle/travel/mawjymbuin-caves-emerge-as-tourist-hotspot-in-meghalaya20190811020632/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810230544/https://www.aninews.in/news/lifestyle/travel/mawjymbuin-caves-emerge-as-tourist-hotspot-in-meghalaya20190811020632/ | access-date=2026-02-08 | archive-date=2019-08-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-09-02 |title=The Walk of the Faithful |url=https://themeghalayan.com/the-walk-of-the-faithful/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=The Meghalayan |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Tradition==

===Festivals===
Hinduism is practiced by different groups of [[Meghalaya]]. Hindus celebrate many festivals in Meghalya.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hinduscriptures.com/vedic-culture/5474-2/5474/|title=Cultural festival of Meghalaya {{!}} Vedic Culture|date=2018-02-18|website=Hindu Scriptures {{!}} Vedic lifestyle, Scriptures, Vedas, Upanishads, Itihaas, Smrutis, Sanskrit.|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref> [[Diwali]], [[Behdienkhlam]], [[Navaratri]], etc. are celebrated by people. Navaratri and other Goddess Pujas are celebrated mainly by Bengali people. [[Diwali]] is celebrated by almost all Hindus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/meghalaya/behdienkhlam-festival/amp_poishow/51795371.cms|title=Behdienkhlam festival {{!}} Culture in Meghalaya {{!}} Times of India Travel|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref> [[File:Behdienkhlam Festival.png|thumb|Behdienkhlam is festival celebrated by the pnars in Jowai, Meghalaya]]
In [[Jowai]], [[Behdienkhlam]] is a harvest festival celebrate by the Niamtre believers. This festival is popular among non-Christian [[Pnar people]].

Many other Hindu festivals celebrate Hindus like [[Makar Sankranti]], [[Diwali]], [[Holi]], [[Navaratri]], etc.

===Important Temples and Shrines===
In Meghalaya, there is a [[Shakta pithas|Shakta pitha]] at Jaintia hills in [[Nartiang]]. Here, [[Shakti]] is worshipped as Jayanti and [[Bhairava]] is worshipped as Kamadishwar. There many native Brahmins who caretakes temple and organises ritual programs. According to people, this Shakta pitha is only one on Earth which is abode of [[Durga]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2026}}

===Hajong Tradition===
Hajong people practice Hinduism from long time.{{Citation needed|date=January 2026}} They worship specific [[Avatar|avatars]] (equivalent to Hindu deities). Ex.-
*Lakshmi-Lukkhi Dyao
*Vishnu-Bishnu Dyao
*Shiv-Shib Dyao
*Kartikeya-Katka Dyao
Dyao is derived from Sanskrit word- (देव Deva, modern Indian languages- Dev/Deo).

===Rabha people===
Rabha people's religious world is pervaded with various spirits and natural objects. The main deity of the Rabhas is called Rishi. Rishi, for the forest Rabhas as well as village Rabhas, is a male deity. He is also known as Mahakal. Forest Rabhas worship him in all important social and religious ceremonies.<ref>{{cite book |author=Karlsson |first=Bengt G. |title=Contested Belonging: An Indigenous People's Struggle for Forest and Identity in Sub-Himalayan Bengal |publisher=Psychology Press |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-7007-1179-6|author-link=Bengt G. Karlsson}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title = Hindu Population in Meghalaya
|type =
|footnote =
|align = right
|width =
|state =
|shading =
|pop_name =
|percentages =
|source = [[census of India]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://gbpihedenvis.nic.in/District%20wise%20Religious%20Population%20%20of%20Meghalaya-2001.html | title=Districts Religious Population-2001, Meghalaya }}</ref><ref>[http://lsi.gov.in Religion, Part IV-B (ii), Series-16, Meghalaya]{{Nonspecific | date=February 2026}}</ref><ref>[http://megplanning.gov.in Planning Department, Government of Meghalaya]{{Nonspecific | date=February 2026}}</ref>
|1971 | 187,140
|1981 | 240,831
|1991 | 260,306
|2001 | 207,822
|2011 | 342,078}}
Hinduism constituted 13.27 percent of Meghalaya's population in 2001 and it decreased to 11.53 percent in 2011. Hindus are mainly found in [[West Garo Hills district]] with 19%, [[East Khasi Hills District]] with 17.50% and the [[Ri-Bhoi District]] with 12%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thenortheasttoday.com/archive/hindu-population-comes-down-in-meghalaya/|title=Hindu population comes down in Meghalaya|newspaper=Times of India|access-date=18 March 2021|archive-date=31 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831091207/https://thenortheasttoday.com/archive/hindu-population-comes-down-in-meghalaya/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hinduism is followed by 42% of the population of [[Shillong]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Shillong Metropolitan Urban Region Population 2011 Census|url=http://www.census2011.com/census/metropolitan/176-shillong.html|website=www.census2011.com}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

===Trends===
'''Percentage of Hindus in Meghalaya by Decades'''<ref name="cpsindia.org">{{Cite web | url=http://www.cpsindia.org | title=Web results - The Christianisation of the Northeast - Centre for Policy Studies | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518174007/http://www.cpsindia.org/ | archive-date=18 May 2021 }}{{Nonspecific | date=February 2026}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''Year'''
! '''Percent'''
! '''Decrease'''
|-
| '''2011'''
| '''11.53%'''
| style="background: red" |'''-4.07%'''
|-
| '''2001'''
| '''15.60%'''
| style="background: red" |
'''-3.23%'''
|-
| '''1991'''
| '''18.83%'''
| style="background: red" |
'''-4.17%'''
|-
| '''1981'''
| '''23.71%'''
| style="background: lightgreen" |
'''+6.52%'''
|-
| '''1971'''
| '''17.19%'''
| style="background: red" |
'''-15.48%'''
|-
| '''1961'''
| '''32.67%'''
| style="background: red" |
'''-8.54%'''
|-
| '''1951'''
| '''41.21%'''
| style="background: red" | '''-9.77%'''
|-
| '''1941'''
| '''50.98%'''
| style="background: red" | '''-7.64%'''
|-
| '''1931'''
| '''58.62%'''
| style="background: red" | '''-9.96%'''
|-
| '''1921'''
| '''68.58%'''
| style="background: red" | '''-7.67%'''
|-
| '''1911'''
| '''76.25%'''
| style="background: red" | '''-8.34%'''
|-
| '''1901'''
| '''84.59%'''
| style="background: lightgreen" |
'''+1.03%'''
|}

===Percentage in Groups===
According to 2011 census there are 342,078 Hindus living in Meghalaya accounting constituting 11.53% of the state population after Christianity.<ref name="census2011"/> Meghalaya Scheduled Tribe Population is 2,555,861 (86% of the state population), out of which 122,141 people among them follow Hinduism, while Non-ST population is 411,028, out of which 219,937 of them follow Hindu faith.<ref name="census">{{cite web | url=https://blog.cpsindia.org/2016/10/religion-data-of-census-2011-xxx-st.html?m=1 | title=Religion Data of Census 2011: XXX ST Meghalaya }}</ref>

Hinduism is practiced by these following groups:-
*[[Hajong people]] (38,576 – Of which 98.65% Hindu),<ref name="census" />
*[[Koch people]] (22,716 – Of which 99.02% Hindu),<ref name="census" />
*[[Rajbongshi people]],
*[[Rabha tribe]] (32,662 – Of which 94.95% Hindu),<ref name="census" />
*[[Karbi People]] (Mikir people) (19,289 – Of which 79% Christian and 21% Hindu),<ref name="census" />
*[[Nepali people]] (54,834 - Of which 90% Hindu and 10% Buddhist),
*[[Bengali people]] (190,882 - Of which 60% Hindu and 40% Muslim),
*[[Punjabi people]] (4,540 - Of which 70% Sikh and 30% Hindu),
*[[Marwari people]] (17,405 - Of which 80% Hindu and 20% Jain),
*[[Bihari people]] (30,611 - Of which 85% Hindu and 15% Muslim),
*[[Jaintia people]] (316,852 - Of which 60% [[Christian]] and 40% following tribal religion "Ka Niamtre" with some elements of Hinduism in it),<ref name="census" />
*[[Khasi people]] (1,411,775, of which only 10,302, 0.73% of the ethnic's population follows Hindu religion),<ref name="census" />
*[[Garo people]] (821,026, of which only 4,776, 0.58% of the ethnic's population follows Hindu religion)<ref name="census" />

===Hindu population by district===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ District-wise Hindu population — Meghalaya (Census 2011)<ref>{{cite web |title=Census of India 2011: Population by Religious Community (Meghalaya) |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html}}</ref>
! District
! Hindu population (2011)
! Hindu (% of district population)
|-
| East Khasi Hills
| 144,949
| 17.55
|-
| West Garo Hills
| 122,933
| 19.11
|-
| Jaintia Hills
| 12,446
| 3.15
|-
| West Khasi Hills
| 6,480
| 1.69
|-
| Ri Bhoi
| 30,957
| 11.96
|-
| East Garo Hills
| 17,263
| 5.43
|-
| South Garo Hills
| 7,031
| 4.94
|}
''Note: Data is based strictly on the 2011 Census of India. Only districts that existed at the time of the 2011 census are included. Districts created after 2011 are not covered.''
== Persecution ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Percentage of Hindus in Meghalaya by decades<ref>[https://censusindia.gov.in 1991 Census religion]{{Nonspecific | date=February 2026}}</ref><ref>[https://censusindia.gov.in Catalog C-01: Population by religious community, Meghalaya - 2001]{{Nonspecific | date=February 2026}}</ref><ref>[https://censusindia.gov.in Catalog C-01: Population by religious community, Meghalaya - 2011]{{Nonspecific | date=February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2015/09/18/muslim-population-up-hindus-dip/# | title=Muslim population up; Hindus dip | date=18 September 2015 }}</ref>
|-
! Year
! Percent
! Increase
|-
| 1971
| {{percentage bar|18.49}}
|
|-
| 1981
| {{percentage bar|18.03}}
| {{decrease}} -0.46%
|-
| 1991
| {{percentage bar|14.67}}
| {{decrease}} -3.36%
|-
| 2001
| {{percentage bar|13.27}}
| {{decrease}} -1.4%
|-
| 2011
| {{percentage bar|11.53}}
| {{decrease}} -1.74%
|}

Hindu percentage in Meghalaya have declined from 18.49% in 1971 to 11.53% in 2011 census (A decline of -6.96% in four decades).

The Non-ST Hindu minority are being targeted, attacked and murdered by Christian tribals since from the time of the creation of Meghalaya in 1972. The Hindu minority of the state do not enjoy equal rights and there is widespread hatred, discrimination and intolerance against them which were perpetrated by local [[Seng Khasi Movement|Khasi Students Union]]. The [[Bengali Hindus]] in Meghalaya are often treated as Bangladeshis or outsiders ([[Dkhar]]). They have been running away, leaving the state in large numbers since from 1972.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Shivani |date=2020-11-20 |title=Oppression of non-tribals by the Tribals |url=https://democracynewslive.com/editorial/oppression-of-non-tribals-by-the-tribals-689188 |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=democracynewslive.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2020-03-02 |title=Meghalaya extremists ask non-tribal group to leave |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/meghalaya-extremists-ask-non-tribal-group-to-leave/article61968102.ece |access-date=2025-10-03 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-06 |title=Explained: Behind Meghalaya violence |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/citizenship-amendment-act-caa-meghalaya-violence-simply-put-6301430/ |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en|last=Saha|first=Abhishek}}</ref>

Three ethnic-religious riots between the indigenous Christian tribes and the non- tribals mostly Hindus have taken place in the year 1979, 1987 and 1992 respectively. In 1979 almost 20 thousands Hindu Bengalis were displaced from Meghalaya following attacks by local Khasis.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Choudhury |first=Soumyadip |date=2019-10-22 |title=A riot that changed a city: 40 years of 79'er gondogul - the 1979 Shillong anti-Bengali riots |url=https://www.cuttingthechai.com/2019/10/8567/a-riot-that-changed-a-city-40-years-of-79er-gondogul-the-1979-shillong-anti-bengali-riots/ |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=Cutting the Chai |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 1987, almost 2.7 thousand [[Nepalis]] and [[Biharis]] were displaced from Meghalaya following land disputes with Christian tribals. Again in 1992, around 3 thousand [[Nepalis]] quit Meghalaya following clashes between Khasis and non-tribals during [[Dusherra]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-05-29 |title=`Nepalis living in terror in Meghalaya` |url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/nepalis-living-in-terror-in-meghalaya_630043.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025212310/https://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/nepalis-living-in-terror-in-meghalaya_630043.html |archive-date=2022-10-25 |access-date=2025-10-03 |work=Zee News |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Karmakar |first=Rahul |date=2018-06-09 |title=Why did riots erupt in Shillong? |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/why-did-riots-erupt-in-shillong/article24123209.ece |access-date=2025-10-03 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In 2018, there were repeatedly violence against [[Mazhabi Sikh]] which were perpetrated by local Khasis and [[Seng Khasi Movement|Khasi Students Union]] members in around [[Shillong]] city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Now, Christians attack Dalit Sikhs in Shillong. Pray tell, where is the outrage? |url=https://www.dailyo.in/voices/dalit-sikhs-attacked-shillong-by-northeast-christians-khasis-meghalaya-majority-violence-india-24647 |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=www.dailyo.in |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-03 |title=Khasi-Punjabi clashes: Why there is unrest in Meghalaya capital |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/meghalaya/shillong-violence-meghalaya-khasi-punjabi-clash-conrad-sangma-police-curfew-5202012/ |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dutta |first=Prabhash K. |date=2018-06-04 |title=How Shillong got a separate Punjabi colony and why it’s a problem now |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/how-shillong-got-a-separate-punjabi-colony-and-why-it-s-a-problem-now-1250294-2018-06-04 |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> In 2020, The [[Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council]] (HNLC) has issued an ultimatum to all the Hindu-Bengalis to leave Ichamati and Majai areas at Shella in [[East Khasi Hills]] within one month which have ultimately lead to clashes between Hindu Bengalis and Khasi Christian tribals resulting in one death and several injuries.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-03-01 |title=Meghalaya: HNLC issues ‘leave Ichamati, Majai’ notice to Hindu-Bengalis |url=https://nenow.in/north-east-news/meghalaya/meghalaya-hnlc-issues-leave-ichamati-majai-notice-to-hindu-bengalis.html |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=NorthEast Now |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Hinduism in Arunachal Pradesh]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Hinduism in India by region}}

[[Category:Hinduism in India|Meghalaya]]
[[Category:Religion in Meghalaya]]

Hinduism in Meghalaya - Revision history

BeckyK8455 at 16:11, 16 March 2026