MPP questions Govt's flip-flop stand
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 09 2014:
The Manipur People's Party (MPP) has questioned as to why the Shri Govindajee Temple (Third Amendment) Bill 2014 was passed if it should be rescinded later.
Speaking to some media persons at their office this afternoon, MPP president N Sovakiran, nonetheless, lauded Chief Minister O Ibobi for his declaration that the Governor has been asked to reject the Bill after a series of agitation by the people and civil society organisations.
Questioning when this second thought struck the Government's mind, Sovakiran asked if pros and cons of the Bill were not studied before it was passed.
The Bill was passed by the 60 MLAs of the State representing 28 lakh people.
But the Government's request to the Governor to reject the Bill sullied the dignity as well as sanctity of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Given the State Government's flip-flop stand, it is possible they secretly entreated the Governor to reject their own resolutions adopted in favour of safeguarding the State's territorial integrity, enforcement of Inner Line Permit System etc, Sovakiran said.
The Bill did not receive the Governor's consent because the Governors of Manipur were replaced successively otherwise the Bill could have been passed into an Act.
As for the MPP, preservation and promotion of indigenous cultures, traditions and religious faith are the priority area.
MPP legal cell member Advocate Y Priyokumar said that Manipur was merged into the Indian Union on October 15, 1949.According to the Manipur Merger Agreement, the king was the customary religious head of the State.
Generally, all the 60 MLAs including the Chief Minister swear not to indulge in any unsecular or undemocratic activities at the time of taking the oath of office and secrecy.
But the passage of the Shri Govindajee Temple (Third Amendment) Bill 2014 evoked a serious question whether the MLAs were abiding by the common oath or not.
The Bill, if turned into an Act, has all the potential to create all kinds of conflicts and confrontations amongst the people of the State along religious line,
Priyokumar said.