Public discourse recommends special House session
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 18 2019:
A one-day public discourse on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) 2016 held today at Manipur University under the aegis of the Manipur University Teachers' Association (MUTA) has recommended the State Government to immediately convene a special session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly and adopt an unambiguous resolution regarding the CAB 2016.It also adopted three other resolutions/recommendations which say that the CAB would adversely affect the interests of the people of North East India, specially Manipur.
It was also resolved to urge all the political parties in the entire North East including Manipur to shed their political differences raise their voice in unison to preclude the passing of the CAB 2016 in the Rajya Sabha.
MPs, MLAs, political parties and stake holders in the North East must be pressed urgently to immediately lobby for special Constitutional safeguards for protecting the interests of the indigenous people of the North East including Manipur and to even demand political autonomy of the region, specially Manipur, read one resolution.
It was further resolved to organise a bigger conclave with all major stake holders and political parties in Manipur under the aegis of MUTA at the earliest, preferably within January.
Altogether four resolutions were adopted in a one day public discourse on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 which was organized by Manipur University Teachers' Association (MUTA) today at Court Hall, Manipur University.
Speaking at the public discourse, Assistant Professor Dr Chinglen Meisnam observed that the prevailing situation in the State and the whole North East is very grave and the future looks grim as leaders of the Governments in the States of North East Region belong to the same party which is ruling at the Centre and vigorously pushed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 in the Lok Sabha.
He further likened the incumbent State Government leaders with Kama of the Mahabharata who did not have the capability to fight for his brothers (Pandavas) as he was brought up by the Kauravas although his heart favoured the Pandavas.
Indirectly referring to the State Government leaders, the Assistant Professor stated, "There are many people like Kama in the State who love and think about their motherland.
But they can no longer do anything against their owner masters (Central Government) even if they do not like the deeds of their masters since they have been already bought" .
It is also most worrisome for all the people of the State and North Eastern region that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill may be implemented in the form of an ordinance, he opined adding that it has become a usual thing for the NDA Government to implement Bills as ordinances after it did not get majority in Rajya Sabha.
Chinglen then ridiculed the State Government saying that the State Government leaders must now organize "Go to Delhi" campaign in place of Go to Village campaign to submit memoranda and lobby with the Central Government to get CAB 2016 withdrawn.
Senior Advocate I Lalit Singh observed that Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 is a 'colourable' legislation.
He also mentioned that the Bill violates Articles 14 and 15 of the Indian Constitution as the said Bill is founded on some religions and applies to a few particular countries.
Saying that saving the future of the North East people, including Manipur now lies in the hands of the MPs from the North East States, the Advocate added that it is the duty of the MPs to perform their duties now.
Many other speakers including social activist Ningthouja Lancha, Professor MC Arun, retired Professor Ksh Bimola Devi, JCILPS former convenor Kh Ratan Singh, AMMUCOC president SM Jalal, MMWO president Fundreimayum Abdullah Pathan too spoke during the public discourse.
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