Kukis violating freedom of religion : Sanajaoba
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 16 2025: BJP's Rajya Sabha Member and titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba has decried the Government of India's inaction against the direct affront by Kukis to the religious freedom of Meitei people.

The titular king today flagged off a six-member team of MEELAL led by its president who would be teaching Meitei Mayek to Meiteis settled in Tripura.

Speaking at the flag off ceremony held at the royal palace, Leishemba Sanajaoba said that most of the sacred sites revered by the Meitei community including the abode of Ebudhou Thangjing are there since ages.

Every year, Meitei people go to these sacred sites and offer prayers.

No civilized people would condone the objections raised by Kukis against offering prayers at these sacred sites, he said.

Kukis violating freedom of religion : Sanajaoba

This is a direct challenge to the freedom and rights guaranteed by the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha Member said.

If such unwarranted objections and disturbances continue, Meiteis will not be able to tolerate it any longer, he said.

It would be wise and prudent for both the Government of India and the Governor to take up necessary action before it is too late.

If the Government of India fails to take up tangible actions, the crisis will never end and peace will remain a far cry, he said.

Saying that he would do everything to address the issue satisfactorily, the Rajya Member said that the people must take a decision if the Government of India fails to take any action against the threats posed by Kukis to the rights of Meitei people, particularly the freedom of religion.

Earlier, on April 14, following the advice of community elders, a large number of Meiteis aborted their plans to go to Thangjing hills in Churachandpur district and returned home from Moirang in Bishnupur district, as Kuki-Zo groups staged protests warning against the pilgrims crossing the 'buffer zone' .

The distance between Moirang town in Bishnupur district and Thangjing hills is over 10 kilometres.

The buffer zone, which is heavily guarded by security forces, separates the Meitei-controlled Imphal Valley and the Kuki-dominated hill districts of the restive State.

Several Meitei devotees who had offered prayers on April 13 to prepare for the pilgrimage came back home after community elders persuaded them to return, citing the current situation at the sacred hill where armed Kuki men are allegedly present.

Meitei elders are also against the pilgrimage now and they want the community members to carry on with the journey later when the situation improves.

They said that the route to the sacred site at the top of Thangjing hills passes through thick forests and isolated areas and going through such areas in the prevailing situation can be dangerous for Meiteis.

Meitei community members take the annual pilgrimage in the month of April in accordance with the traditional Manipuri calendar system.

Thangjing Hill is considered a sacred site by the Meitei community, who traditionally visit it throughout the Manipur month of 'Sajibu' which generally falls in April.

However, full moon day and days following it are considered the most auspicious ones.

On April 13, the full moon day, many Meitei pilgrims from various parts of the Imphal Valley offered prayers in Bishnupur and camped overnight in Moirang and surrounding areas, preparing for the pilgrimage in the days ahead.

Hundreds of Kuki-Zo community members, however, gathered at the Thangjing Hill and staged demonstrations on April 13, officials said.

The Kukis said that attempts to cross the buffer zone shall be considered a direct challenge to the Kuki-Zo community and if any untoward incident occurs during such attempts, those who undertake them would be responsible for it.

On April 12 as well, several Kuki-Zo civil society organisations "warned" the Meitei community against climbing the Thangjing Hill, stating that any such attempt "will be opposed tooth and nail" .

Six Kuki organisations have protested the entry of Meitei pilgrims to Thangjing hills.

The MP also hailed the joint initiative of MEELAL and the Directorate of Language Planning and Implementation to teach Meitei Mayek to Meitei people settled outside Manipur.

The number of Nations/communities which have their own language and script is limited.

But Manipur/Kangleipak, though small, has its own language and script, he pointed out.

MEELAL president Khaidem Ingocha said that they would teach Meitei people of Tripura how to read and write Meitei Mayek during the 10-day tour which may be extended.