Govindaji Temple (3rd Amendment Bill 2014) UKAL seeks Governor's intervention
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, August 02 2014 :
Fifteen social organizations under the aegis of the 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 Govindaji Temple (Third Amendment Bill 2014) in the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
The Bill aims to keep all the Umanglais (sylvan deities) of Manipur under the purview of the Govindaji Temple Board by making amendment to the Govindaji 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 secularism, he said and dubbed the Bill as an order issued by a monarch.
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 announced that a huge public meeting will be organized on August 17 to discuss the matter and the decision taken by the meet will be the final stand of the people.
In the memorandum to the Governor VK Duggal, the UKAL and the 15 civil society organizations said the Govindaji Temple Act 1972 "does not cover" the institution of Umanglais.
According to the Act, all matters concerning with the 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 a spate entity that has professed belief and faith in the Sanamahi religion.
In performing its customary rites and rituals, only those who profess the Sanamahi religion will be allowed because anything sung or recited there, is connected only with the Sanamahi religion, the memorandum to the Governor said.
It said the recently passed (Third Amendment Bill), 2014 is misleading and the giving of arching responsibility to the Pandit Loishang of the Govindaji 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.