HERICOUN calls for sane argument on Kanglasha issue
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 04 2021: Raising objection against the act of sloganeering against retired IAS officer and columnist RK Nimai and burning newspaper copies of the Imphal Free Press as a mode of putting forward their views on Kanglasha issue by some people, Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) has called for sane arguments on the criticism expressed by the likes of RK Nimai and senior journalist Pradip Phanjoubam instead of resorting to uncivilised activities.

In a statement, HERICOUN said that the organisation is not an expert body on the issue at hand and as such it is not a party in the argument between the supporters and opposers of removing the support rods from the mouths of the twin Kanglasha.

However, they are sharing their views on this issue as it has come to the level of resorting to trolling, using uncivilised words and intimidating acts of sloganeering.

RK Nimai in his article simply pointed that the decision to remove the (prop) stick should be based on formal meeting of Kangla Board.

He also opined that the aspiration of Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board, Utra Shanglen, CSOs and women vendors do not have any legal validities.

Secondly, he raised the question if the government wants to develop Kangla as a modern park or as a tangible heritage site and stated that entering into a debate without having a resolution in this regard will not bring out the truth but may lead to other issues.

There might be differences in the philosophies of the present government and Kangla Act, 2004 .

The removal of the prop is a subjective opinion and any proposal to straighten the Pakhangba Mathek will be insane, the columnist had pointed out.

He also proposed proper discussion to find out if the stick is just a prop to support the structure or not because in the photograph taken by Johnstone it looks like a prop.

He also stated that Kangla is not for a section of people or a religion only.

It is a secular heritage site but it seems the present government wants to develop it as a site for only Sanamahi religion, which might lead to other issues, HERICOUN maintained.

It also stated that the arguments put forth by Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, who defines RK Nimai as a consultant of the previous government; the argument of some individuals or organisations trying to paint him as anti-Meetei; and act of majoritarianism instead of an academic argument are ad-hominem argument, the statement said while terming those acts as tyranny and intended to silence the voice of opposition.

It then urged all concerned to debate over the issue based on documents, history, facts and logic instead of resorting to uncivilised acts.

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