Don't defile Kangla: ACOAM-Lup
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 15 2018: ACOAM-Lup has demanded the State Government to immediately stop the ongoing construction works of the Raas Leela theatre inside Kangla, which is a sacred place for the Meiteis.

A press release issued by the secretary organisation of ACOAM Lup today mentioned that Kangla has served as the capital of Kangleipak/Manipur since 33 AD and is a sacred place for the Meitei community.

It conveyed that the construction of a Raas Leela theatre inside Kangla in the Central Government's effort to eradicate ethnic cultures and usher in Hinduisation, will create lasting impacts for the future generation of the State as well.

ACOAM Lup added that the people of Manipur are yet to forget the arrogant and baseless claim made by Chief Minister N Biren Singh at Madhavpur Fair at Gujarat that Manipur is the home of Krishna's wife.

Countless attempts to tarnish the culture and history of Manipur have been made in books and general knowledge columns often confusing Manipur with Manipura, a land in the kingdom of Kalinga as mentioned in the Mahabharata, it informed and added that the State Government's actions, at such a critical juncture, of constructing a Raas Leela theatre inside Kangla will make the world think that Raas Leela has been an integral part of Manipuri culture from time immemorial, apart from spreading wrong perception of Kangla and ancient Manipuri traditions to the world.

Appealing the people to stand united against such an atrocious act, ACOAM Lup added that it will be the right choice for the people to put an end to such blatant disregard of the ancient history of the land in the interest of the present and future generations.

On the other hand Socialist Students Union of Manipur (SSUM) has also strongly condemned, the construction of a Raas Leela theatre inside Kangla.

A press release issued by the general secretary of SSUM today alleged that this act of the Government is against the wishes and desire of the people of the State and added that this is an invitation for trouble.

Pointing out that SSUM will never accept the attempt to build the structure by the BJP State Government as a part of the alleged Hindutva agenda of the RSS, it stated that the act amounts to suppressing and mocking the people who practice Sanamahi religion.

Demanding an immediate stop to the construction works, SSUM warned that trying to meddle and politicise the religion and ancient history of the people of Kangleipak will only invite trouble and added that SSUM is ready to launch various democratic agitation like poster campaign, signature campaign, sit in protests etc.

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