Civil bodies to ban Sangai Festival 2014
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 06 2014:
As many as 38 different organizations including the Umang Lai Kanba Lup (UKAL) today resolved to ban the upcoming 'Manipur Sangai Festival' being organized by Manipur Government in November this year.
The move came in the wake of the recent passage of the Govindaji Temple (Third Amendment Bill 2014) in the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
The Bill aims to keep all the 'Umanglais' (forest deities) of Manipur under the purview of the Govindaji Temple Board by making amendment to the Govindaji Temple Act, 1972 .
A joint meeting of the 38 civil society bodies was held at the UKAL office here in the Palace Compound during which a joint action committee (JAC) that comprises representatives of the 38 civil society bodies was formed at the meet, UKAL Advisory Committee convenor M Maniton announced at a press meet.
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He said a meeting of the newly formed JAC will be held on October 13 that will be attended by more social organisations which are expected to join it.
H Nilachandra was chosen as chairman of the JAC and UKAL general secretary M Jilangamba as convenor, he said.
Maniton pledged, "We'll not allow the Manipur Government to organise the forthcoming Sangai Festival which is an annual cultural festival of the state if the the Govindaji Temple (Third Amendment Bill 2014) is not withdrawn by the Government quickly." But he said the JAC will retract from the decision to ban the biggest tourism festival in case the Manipur Government annuls the Bill.
"We're upset over the wrong decision of the Government.
Our reaction against the Bill aims to protect our identity, culture and tradition.
The protest is not meant for a particular religious group," he said.
Maniton said the Bill poses a great threat to the society and shows blatant disrespect for the entire Meitei community and demanded that the Manipur Government cancel it immediately.
He alleged that the Sangai Festival intends to destroy the cultural tradition of the Meitei, and that this festival is against the Umanglais and so it is meaningless.
"We're prepared to insult the Government if the festival is celebrated," he warned.
Appealing to all to stay away from the festival, Maniton further threatened the state Government that it should be responsible for any eventuality.
Maniton also announced that all the 60 MLAs have been banned from visiting all Umanglai temples or sites as devotees since they are considered to be leaders working against the will of the people.