Stop religious encroachment at sacred Kangla, origin of Sanamahi religion

7th October 2018

Subject: Stop the ongoing religious encroachment activities within the boundary of the sacred Kangla, the origin of Sanamahi religion

Every person of Manipur, young and old, knows that the Kangla was the first dry spot that emerged out of an immense body of water and where the Sanamahi religion was originated. However, the ongoing construction of the so called the Ras Leela Dance Hall within the sacred Kangla has created a huge apprehension among the followers of Sanamahi. The Ras Leela dance portrays the lord Krishna and his gopies which is of Hindu origin. Hence, erecting such a dance hall within the boundaries of the sacred Kangla is definitely a religious encroachment to the Sanamahi religion. It is strongly urged to stop the construction of this Dance Hall with immediate effect.

Since yesterday, a group of people are shouting and debating in facebook media against the construction of the dance hall, while a facebook profile of Hon’ble CM N Biren Singh has also responded with a mere blame game that the proposal for the said dance hall was initiated by the previous Congress Government, and he also clarified that it is mainly for the purpose of promoting the State Tourism. We show our unanimity against the construction and strongly condemn the blame game as well as the said purpose.

1. Even if the Congress Government initiated the plan, it was the BJP Government at the Center then, as well as it is the present Biren led BJP Government that is continuing the same in the State. Hence it is clear that BJP Govt is making the actual move. If the Biren led Govt wants, it can stop the construction immediately. However the BJP Govt is continuing it as part of their Saffronization Movement as directed by the Center. It may be remembered that the previous Congress Government removed the Assam Rifles from the Kangla, whereas instead of making efforts to save and promote Sanamahi religion, the Biren led BJP State Government is making more terrible plans to kill the Sanamahi completely.

2. If it is truly to promote the State Tourism as clarified by Mr Biren, then the dance hall can be renamed as something related to Sanamahi by all means, not at all a Ras Leela Dance Hall. It is more appropriate and right because Kangla is the origin of Sanamahi religion only. Likewise, the hall can serve to promote the Sanamahi religion, conduct International Sanamahi Convention, and show to the global audience with our original indigenous culture and identity. If at all the BJP Government wants to promote the Ras Leela Dance instead, then it may be planned at another location elsewhere away and outside Kangla.

Let us remember the history when the king Pamheiba played in the tune of the Bengali saint Santidas Gosai, converted Meeteis to Vaishnavite Hindus and made happened the unforgettable “Puya Meithaaba” to eradicate the original Sanamahi religion completely. However, with great efforts of many true followers, Sanamahi religion has revived slowly in the last few decades.

So, Let us not repeat the history! Such encroachment will kill the Sanamahi movement altogether again. It will bury more than 302 laifams of Sanamahi existed at the Kangla. It will create one more big confusion to our younger and future generations as well as to the global audience about our 2000 year old history.

Promoting the ‘State tourism’ with ‘Ras Leela’ at ‘the Kangla location’ will mix up Hinduism and Sanamahi just to bring more confusion and injustice to our originality and indigenousness. Hence, we sincerely request the present BJP State Government to stop the construction of the Ras Leela Dance Hall inside the sacred Kangla.

Also, requesting all the concerned authorities and relevant groups of people and organizations to look into the matter and take necessary democratic actions to save the only sacred Kangla, the origin of Sanamahi.

Copy to:
1. HCM Manipur
2. President Sanamahi Temple Board
3. UKAL
4. Meetei Marup
5. Apokpa Marup
6. Kangla Religious Fort Board
7. Umanglai Haraoba Thougal Lup
8. LSSP
9. Friends Organization
10. UCM
11. AMSU
12. Publication House and Printing Media

Kangla Kanba Lup