In a deeply troubling incident on January 20, 2025, the Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) school in Mawkynrew village, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, became the epicenter of a violent mob attack that exposes the complex religious and educational tensions in the region.

Mawkynrew, a village with an 80% Christian population and a literacy rate of 58%, represents the challenging educational terrain of rural Meghalaya. The RKM school, established in 2022, emerged as a critical intervention in this context. Beginning in a single room with 38 students from Nursery to Class V, the school rapidly transformed the local educational ecosystem.

The school’s remarkable growth tells a story of educational aspiration. Starting with mere 38 students and four teachers in 2022, it expanded to 96 students and seven teachers by 2023. By 2024, the school had upgraded to Class VII, serving 166 students with nine teachers across villages like Jongksha, Lynshing, Umtong, and Mawlein.

On January 19, 2025, RKM’s secretary, Swami Anuragananda, sent an urgent letter to Meghalaya’s DGP Idashisha Nongrang. The letter warned of an impending mob attack, highlighted ongoing land ownership disputes, and requested additional police protection.

A traditional “Pyrta Shnong” notice revealed the premeditated nature of the attack. Signed by seven local leaders, including Kitborlang Mukhim and Kromwell Shylla, the notice summoned all villagers above 18 to the school premises, instructing them to bring tools like rakes and ploughs and mandating shop closures.

The attack, led by former village sardar Phrangstarwell Wankhar and Tanborlang Surong, was rooted in complex religious and political motivations. Missionary schools in the region perceived RKM as a threat to their educational influence. Protesters claimed the land was allocated to the Sports Club, a pretext RKM firmly rejected, maintaining that their land allocation was proper and supported by village authorities.

This was not an isolated incident. RKM had previously secured court-directed police protection, obtained land through a legal gift deed, and received approvals from village and traditional authorities. The Meghalaya High Court’s April 19, 2023 order explicitly directed police protection and urged all parties to follow the rule of law.

The attack reflects deeper societal issues: systemic discrimination against minority educational initiatives, religious and political interference in educational development, and challenges to secular, inclusive educational models. It echoes previous tensions, such as the 2017 Mylliem incident where an Indigenous Faith elder’s funeral was disrupted, highlighting ongoing patterns of religious and cultural intolerance.

Local leaders like Patricia Mukhim, a Padma Shri awardee and Shillong Times editor, have demanded accountability. They question local political leadership and emphasize the critical importance of protecting educational institutions.

Despite repeated attacks, the Ramakrishna Mission remains committed to its educational mission. The organization views these challenges as opportunities to demonstrate the transformative power of education, challenge entrenched religious and political barriers, and provide quality learning opportunities to marginalized communities.

The Mawkynrew attack is more than an isolated incident. It represents a critical moment in Meghalaya’s educational and social landscape, challenging systemic barriers and highlighting the urgent need for inclusive, secular educational approaches. The RKM school stands as a testament to the possibility of educational transformation, even in the face of violent resistance.