Blasphemous declaration continues to rile many
Uttra Shanglen asks MLA to bring out offender
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 02 2023:
The Uttra Shanglen, Sana Konung (royal palace) has asked the particular MLA elected from the hills who took away Takhellambam Ramananda from police custody to bring out the man and persuade him to tender an apology to the people.
Speaking to media persons at the Uttra Shanglen, Sana Konung today, Maichou Purel Prof Ngari-yanbam Kangjiya Mangang said that Takhellambam Ramananda who follows Christianity was openly slandering and disparaging the indigenous Meitei faith when he spoke at a Gospel Outreach Programme of Sagang Baptist Church on March 26 .
By particularly citing the practice of sprinkling water with Tairen leaves on those people who attended cremation rituals and lighting fire at their residential gates, Ramananda was openly mocking the sacred custom of Meitei indigenous faith, Prof Kangjiya said.
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This practice of sprinkling water with Tairen leaves and lighting fire at the residential gates is not restricted to Meitei religious faith but is deeply rooted in culture and traditions of Meitei community, he said.
Apart from Kom, many other communities also use Tairen leaves in performing sacred rituals.
The way Ramananda imitated the act of using sacred Tairen leaves and then spitting on the stage was highly blasphemous and offensive.
Just because he had converted to Christianity, Ramananda has no right to make a mockery of other religious faiths, Prof Kangjiya said.
There are no Bamon who do not worship Sanamahi and they respect the indigenous faith.
Manipur is unique in the sense that a considerable section of its population have been following two religions simultaneously by absorbing all the positive and beautiful doctrines of both the religions, he said.
Manipur/Kangleipak is the source of religious dualism.
Making a mockery of the age old customs of such a place cannot be tolerated or permitted by the Indian Constitution, the Maichou Purel said.
Every citizen is free to follow any religion of his or her own choice but one must respect all other religious faiths and should not hurt the sentiments of other religious groups, he asserted.
"We don't harbour any ill-feeling against other religions.
Meitei Christians may follow their faith devoutly but they must refrain from slandering Meitei indigenous faith", he warned.
The MLA who took away Takhellambam Ramananda from police custody should bring him out and persuade him to tender an apology to the public, he added.