HERICOUN appeals to revoke decision
More censure nomination of titular king for RS poll
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 16 2020:
Reasoning that the decision of titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba to contest the Rajya Sabha election may be construed as he and the royal palace have accepted the Merger Agreement of 1949, the Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) has appealed to the titular king to revoke his decision explaining that if he fails to do so, the incident will remain a dark chapter in the history of Manipur.
Speaking to media persons at HERICOUN office at Palace Compound today, its president Longjam Ratan-kumar reminded that it is still being debated that Maharaja Bodhchandra was forced to sign the Merger Agreement under duress.
Moreover, Shillong Times carried a news report the day after the agreement was signed, stating that Manipur had been annexed by India.
Even former Home Secretary, GoI, GK Pillai had said that India had committed a grave sin and should apologise to the people of Manipur.
On the other hand, many sections of the society are still contending that the Merger Agreement completely violated all international laws and norms, he added.
Ratankumar continued that the title of king and the royal palace carry great significance as they are a part of Manipuri history and culture, apart from symbolising that Manipur was once a free and sovereign kingdom in South East Asia.
Over and above, the royal palace is a sacred institution which is closely linked with the culture and traditions of Manipur and her people.
The king is the leader of this institution and the people hold him in high regard and esteem.
As such, if Leishemba Sanajaoba goes ahea with his decision contest the election for the Rajya Sabha seat, then it will be akin to accepting the Merger Agreement, Ratankumar said.
The HERICOUN president opined that a king should remain neutral and added that if he steps into politics as a BJP candidate, then he will be swayed by the ideologies of the said party.
It will also deteriorate his sanctity as a king and tarnish the image of the royal palace, he added.
Pointing out that a king cannot remain one without any support from his subjects, Ratankumar lamented that Leishemba Sanajaoba did not consult his people before taking the drastic step nor did he make others aware of his conditions.
On the other hand, referring to some statements made by certain associations and people in support of the decision of the king, Ratankumar reminded that when BJP made Mera Houchongba a State level festival, HERICOUN and other CSOs welcomed the move with open arms.
However, the people and HERICOUN do not desire the king to become a BJP member.
The people only desire for the king and the royal palace to maintain their positions and help the people with honesty, he said.
Replying to a query by media persons, Ratankumar said that if the Government indeed wants to protect the king and the royal palace, there are many alternatives which could have been chosen after proper consultation with the people.
The meet was organised by UKAL, WASED, Lainingthou Sanamahi Thougal Lup and HERICOUN.
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