Diwali Lagao : Mapugidi Munda

Free Thinker *

A few days back I came across an interim order saying that 'lagao khaoba' and other forms of gambling is prohibited. I did not bother to look into the details of the order as there is another all encompassing law prohibiting gambling in the country (The Public Gambling Act, 1867). Since betting and gambling is a state subject (Entry 34 of the State list) we can have our own lasting arrangement for gambling. We all know gambling is regulated in Goa, I mean the Casinos.

There are some human activities in the world which are extremely difficult to ban effectively though they are considered as vices: for instance betting, gambling, drinking, smoking etc. No society in the world so far has been able to control these activities despite bans and prohibitions. So, what is being done in the so called civilized societies – they try to regulate these activities.

In many parts of the USA gambling is regulated i.e., Las Vegas. Cannabis consuming is regulated in Cannada. Prostitution is wonderfully regulated in Thailand and Scandinavian countries and now in Eastern Europe too. No one is allowed to smoke in public places in Delhi (implementation is a different story). Manipur is dry State, but it is as good as wet.

What I am trying to say is that there are still many things which are beyond the control of law enforcement agencies. Because the people are not ready for it; for instance Sabarimala, Jallikattu, Gutka (in many parts).

Do you believe that our's is a dry State? Only the price pinches. And State is losing huge revenue. However a few gentlemen are minting money in the name of prohibition. Let us open up. It is high time to do big business with liquor particularly with our local brew.

Instead we attack the poor who are simply earning their livelihoods. Why can't we challenge those who are doing brisk business under protection? So, won't it be better to spread the prosperity among the people by lifting the prohibition and also allowing production and export of local brew. State shall be hugely benefitted on excise duties. Today it seems we are just continuing with the prohibition just for the sake of a few vested interests.

In the latter half of the 19th century betting on pigeon fight (khunu Tunaba ) was a very popular time pass in the erstwhile kingdom of Manipur. It became extremely important sports because rampant gambling was associated with it. Even the royalties were actively involved in the betting on 'khunu tunaba'. Ethel Grimwood in her account (My Three Years in Manipur) jotted down that "the Manipuris are great gamblers and they used to make these pigeons-fight the occasion for betting considerably ".

The then Maharaja banned the game of pigeon-fight. Despite the ban people used to continue with this widely popular sports (plus betting). Mrs Grimwood narrated that prince Angousana was very fond of betting on pigeon-fights and he was never caught.

There is a comedy drama on the theme of 'Khunu Tunnaba' on YouTube; in that drama the comedians enacted the futilities of the police action on such petty crimes which are accepted by the general public as harmless. A few years' back some people were arrested in Thoubal as they were involved in pigeon- fights and gambling. This shows that the practice of 'khunu tunaba' is still in vogue in parts of the State.

There is another popular time-pass called Cock-fights; in most of the cock-fights gambling is involved; this time pass game is popular in rural areas and they are still extremely popular in hill areas. Even the local leaders are involved in the betting of cock-fights.

I am told that there are special cocks maintained for such cock- duels. The cocks which are meant for the fights carry a very high price. One fine Sunday morning in Lamka a police team arrested quite a good number of people who were allegedly involved in the cock-fighting and betting.

All were arrested including the cocks. All came back in the evening except the cocks. Where were the cocks? Locals believed that the cocks might have vanished in the jungle because there are no lock-up rooms for cocks. My friend from Lamka told me that Cock-fights are still popular in Churachandpur.

Animal lovers and moralists may like to finish the tradition of pigeon –fights, cock-fights and 'Lagao' by intimidating us with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act and Anti –gambling laws etc. But I am still very fond of native games, indigenous sports, local time- pass- activities, even if they are not in accordance with the existing laws.

These may be treated as entertainments and innocuous activities. These should not be finished off in the name of rationality and morality. Rather these should be regulated like the bull-fights in Spain (bulls are not killed these days). For 'Lagao'-what about a fortnight's permission – 7 days before and after Diwali (up to 10 pm every evening); a small 'lagao tax' may be levied by the local authority/police for maintaining law and order.

Perhaps 'Lagao khaoba' or 'Diwali lagao' might have been imported from undivided Bengal. The dices are still coming from outside. But the way we play, we yell, we bet, and we pay have local touches which appeals me the most. Next time we may think of a regulation on 'Lagao' (not banning it ).

Can we think of Yaosang without 'thabal chongba' , Shivratri without ganja and Diwali without 'lagao' (betting). Am I hurting the moralists? If so, so be it.