MoC, Amar Chitra Katha apologise
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 16 2022:
Joint Secretary of Ministry of Culture SC Barmma and Amar Chitra Katha Private Limited have tendered apologies for misrepresenting Paona Brajabashi as a tribal freedom fighter who fought in India's freedom struggle.
A press release issued by Joint Students' Coordination Committee (JSCC), an apex body of AMSU, MSF, KSA and SUK said that SC Barmma apologised for the 'misconduct' via a phone call while the publishing house sent an apology letter for the 'distress' caused to Manipuri people.
The JSCC, on August 12, burnt a comic book titled "Tribal leaders of the freedom struggle" published by Amar Chitra Katha and banned the particular comic book in the State.
In its apology letter, Executive Editor of Amar Chitra Katha Reena I Puri wrote, "Amar Chitra Katha regrets the use of the story of Manipuri warrior, Paona Brajabasi, in their collection Tribals Leaders of the Freedom Struggle, published in association with the Ministry of Culture, as part of the activities to commemorate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The name of the warrior was inadvertently placed in the list of tribal warriors.
We have removed the story from the collection and apologies for any distress caused to the Manipuri people" .
SC Barmina, on the other hand, wrote, "The Ministry of Culture, Government of India regrets the use of the story of Manipuri warrior, Paona Brajabasi, in their collection of Tribal Leaders of the Freedom Struggle, published by the Amar Chitra Katha Ltd as part of the activities to commemorate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The name of the warrior was inadvertently placed in the list of tribal warriors.
We have removed the story from the collection and apologies for any distress caused to the Manipuri people.