Umanglais takeover row: UKAL seeks Governor's intervention
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, August 02 2014 :
Fifteen social organizations under the aegis of Umang-Lai Kanba Apunba Lup (UKAL) today submitted a memorandum to the Governor pressing him to look into the matter regarding the passage of the Govindajee Temple (Third Amendment Bill 2014) in Manipur Legislative Assembly.
The Bill aims to keep all Umanglais (sylvan deities) in Manipur under the purview of the Govindajee Temple Board by making amendment to the Govindajee Temple Act 1972 .
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who is also the leader of the House, had misled all the MLAs by passing the Bill, Y Meiraba, spokesperson of UKAL accused while addressing reporters at the Press Club here.
Passage of such a Bill amounts to total contravention of the democratic set up by disrespecting the basic tenets of secularism, he said and dubbed the Bill as an order issued by a monarch.
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Meiraba said the Centre will never accept the Bill as the Government of India believes in secularism.
Therefore, he said, the State Government should withdraw the Bill to prevent possible clashes between the two major religious groups in the state.
He also announced that a huge public meeting will be organized on August 17 to discuss the matter and the decision taken in the meeting will be the final stand of the people.
In the memorandum submitted to Governor VK Duggal, UKAL and 15 civil society organizations said the Govindajee Temple Act 1972 "does not cover" the institution of Umanglais.
According to the Act, all matters concerning with Hindu seva and pujah and other ceremonies and festivals should be held or performed as per the customs and usage of the Hindu religion.
It said the Umanglai is a separate organization and entity that professes belief and faith in the Sanamahi religion.
In performing its customary rites and rituals, only those who profess Sanamahi religion will be allowed because anything sung or recited there, is connected only with the Sanamahi religion, the memorandum pointed out.
It further said that the recently passage of the Govindajee Temple (Third Amendment Bill), 2014 is misleading and the giving of responsibility to the Pandit Loishang of the Govindajee Temple has no meaning since it has been quashed as "ultra vires" by the Gauhati High Court.
Yesterday, the Royal Council, Sana Konung and Sana Konung Legal Cell also termed as 'unfortunate' the passage of the Bill in Manipur assembly.