MEELAL takes tough stand for 27 letter Meetei Mayek
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 31 2022: Three resolutions were adopted during the National Convention on Meetei Mayek organised by MEELAL at GM Hall today.

The resolutions included imposing a ban on all initiatives against the widely accepted 27 character Meetei Mayek; people or institute who continue to work against the 27-character Meetei Mayek to be considered anti-people and working towards making the 27-character script better by consulting experts in the field.

Speaking at the event, MEELAL organisation secretary general in-charge Langonjam Ningol Naorem ongbi Nongmailembi Leima said during the reign of King Churachand a body called 'Beebodh Janani-Shabha' was formed which urged the Manipur State Durbar to restore Meetei Mayek in 1934.Another body called Meetei Mayek Thougal Marup published 'Meetei Mayek Ahanba' in 1946 urging the Durbar to take up necessary steps to uplift Meetei Mayek, she added.

Series of meetings were also held between March of 1958 and February 1959 wherein it was accepted that the script used in 'Puya' were 18 letters Meetei Mayek and 9 more characters (Cheising and Cheitap) were added marking the formation of 27 character Meetei Mayek, she added.

Nongmailembi added that in conferences held during 1958 and 1969, as many as 10 different versions of Meetei Mayek were discussed but majority of the people present accepted the 27 character Meetei Mayek and the same was recommended to the State.

Following strong agitation led by Meetei National Front in May 1978, the State constituted 'Meetei Mayek Expert Committee' on November 16, 1978 which recommended the 27 character Meetei Mayek to the Government following which it was published in the Manipur Gazette (Extraordinary) .

Despite such recommendation and approval by the Government.

Meetei Mayek was still not incorporated in school education in the State till a strong agitation led by MEELAL in 2005 which led to Meetei Mayek introduction in Class I and II .

At present Meetei Mayek has already been introduced at Postgraduate levels, she added.

However, it is very unfortunate that some people with vested interest are spreading lies that the 27-character Meetei Mayek is not the legal script, she added.

She also appealed everyone to work together to promote the script.

The programme was also attended by Moirangthem Naodalenkhomba as presidium member.

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