Manipur comes out as one against demolition of Rajbari
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 11 2025: Different organisations and individuals have condemned the demolition of Manipuri Rajbari (Red Land building) at Shillong, Meghalaya where the Merger Agreement was signed on September 21, 1949 .

While O Joy, a seasoned politician, expressed apprehensions that the demolition of Manipuri Rajbari may be part of a larger design to erase Manipur's historical legacy, Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), Kangleipak and the Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) demanded reconstruction of the Manipuri Rajbari in its original form.

The Meitei Alliance (MA), on the other hand, called for immediate clarification from the Governor regarding the circumstances surrounding the authorization and execution of the demolition.

Shiv Sena, Manipur Pradesh likened the demolition to the burning of the Puyas.

Joy suspects BJP's role

Veteran politician O Joy has expressed suspicion that the BJP might be plotting to erase Manipur's history through the demolition of Manipur Rajbari.

Addressing the media at his residence at Kakwa, Joy, a seasoned politician, said that no law authorizes the demolition of the Manipuri Rajbari, a site closely associated with Manipur's history.

Knocking down the building which was built in the 1930s before Manipur merged with India instead of preserving and renovating it is unacceptable, he said and added that the Rajbari holds immense historical and political significance as the site where the Merger Agreement was signed.

Joy alleged that the demolition appears to be a deliberate attempt to erase Manipur's glory and history.

He pointed out that the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Meghalaya, had last month submitted a memorandum to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Art & Culture Commissioner H Gyanprakash, urging them to spare the building from demolition.

Additionally, former Lok Sabha MP Dr RK Ranjan had also appealed to the Governor to safeguard the historic structure a few days back, he said and condemned the demolition as a deliberate attempt to erase Manipur's history.

Joy stated that he has submitted a memorandum to the Governor and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, demanding action against those responsible for the demolition of the Manipuri Rajbari.

A deliberate move : FOCS

The Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), Kangleipak alleged that the demolition of the Manipuri Rajbari was part of a larger conspiracy to erase Manipur's living history.

FOCS, in a statement, demanded that the Governor's administration take action against officials responsible for the demolition, alleging that the Manipuri Rajbari was a significant historical testament to Manipur's forced merger with India.

Saying that cultural and historical sites are preserved globally, FOCS lamented that the Manipuri Rajbari, however, fell victim to the greed of immoral individuals.

It urged the Government to rebuild the Rajbari in its original form.

Why demolished, asks HERICOUN

Strongly condemning the demolition of the historic building, HERICOUN has urged the Government to publicly explain why the significant heritage site was knocked down.

Addressing the media at Palace Compound today, HERICOUN president Yumkhaibam Surjitkumar Khuman stated that tearing down a building that represents a crucial chapter of Manipur's history instead of preserving it is unacceptable.

It was at this building that Maharaj Bodhchandra signed the Merger Agreement in a controversial manner, he said and urged the Government to constitute an inquiry committee to investigate the demolition and take action against those responsible.

He demanded that the Manipuri Rajbari be reconstructed in accordance with the regulations governing historical sites, within a specified timeframe.

Surjitkumar further demanded that a dedicated Government department be tasked with the monitoring and preservation of Manipur Bhavans, guest houses, and sites of historical significance outside Manipur.

Disregard for public sentiment: MA

Condemning the demolition as a profound blow to the collective memory and dignity of Manipur's people, the Meitei Alliance has demanded immediate clarification from Governor Ajay Kumar regarding the circumstances surrounding the authorization and execution of the demolition of this historic site.

In a press note, the MA emphasized that the Manipuri Rajbari holds profound historical and emotional significance for the people of Manipur, as it was the site where the Manipur Merger Agreement of 1949 was signed - a pivotal moment that shaped fire course of Manipur's modem history.

Stating that the demolition starkly contradicts the June 2022 assurance given by the then Chief Minister to renovate the building while preserving its original structure, the MA added that the lack of transparency during President's Rule has exacerbated the distress.

Saying that the demolition reflects a serious disregard for public sentiment and historical responsibility, the Alliance demanded immediate clarification from the Governor of Manipur on the circumstances under which this demolition was authorised and executed.

Seeking a public disclosure of the decision-making process behind the demolition, the Alliance called upon the Government to preserve the original materials of Manipuri Rajbari and ensure any reconstruction adheres to the original design and heritage aesthetics.

The MA also urged the authorities to develop a comprehensive heritage preservation policy to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Even though the building is gone, its historical spirit must be honoured, not erased, MA said.

"Akin to burning of Puyas"

Shiv Sena, Manipur Pradesh, also condemned the demolition of the Manipuri Rajbari, drawing parallels to the burning of the Puyas, a significant cultural destruction.

In a statement, the party alleged that the demolition reflects a deliberate attempt to erase Manipur's history through collusion, constituting an insult to the State and her people.

Saying that the failure of the Government to preserve the historically significant building is unfortunate, it added that the Meghalaya Government's claim of ignorance also reflects gross irresponsibility.

The Shiva Sena urged the Manipur Government to take immediate action and hold accountable those responsible for the demolition of the Manipuri Rajbari.

It is the responsibility of the Manipur Govt to preserve sites closely associated with the State's history, Shiv Sena said and urged the Govt to reconstruct Manipuri Rajbari.

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