'Gangmumei Kamei advocated autonomy for Manipur'
Contributions to idea of Manipur revisited
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 21 2025: Late Prof Gangmumei Kamei sought autonomy for Manipur under a federal structure within India, according to former Head, Department of History, Manipur University and Vice Chancellor, Khongnangthaba University Prof Naorem Joykumar.

The 4th Gangmumei Kamei Memorial Lecture was held today at JN Manipur Dance Academy here under the aegis of the Gangmumei Kamei (GK) Foundation.

Delivering the memorial lecture held on the topic, "Revisiting Prof Gangmumei Kamei's contributions to the idea of Manipur", Prof Naorem Joykumar said that late Prof Gangmumei Kamei was not only an eminent historian but he also took key roles in safeguarding the unity and integrity of Manipur.

'Gangmumei Kamei advocated autonomy for Manipur'

Prof Gangmumei's demise is a huge loss for the entire State of Manipur, he said.

Prof Joykumar said that Prof Gangmumei made immense contributions to the socio-political trajectory of Manipur.

He also worked extensively on what the political status of Manipur should be under the Constitution of India, Prof Joykumar said.

Prof Gangmumei Kamei was of the firm belief that Manipur should enjoy a fair degree of autonomy even if it remains under the Constitution of India.

He also advocated several aspects of federalism.

The late Professor advocated that the position of Manipur should be defined lucidly in the Centre-State relationship and there must be a federal structure, according to Prof Joykumar.

He said that Prof Gangmumei Kamei was a distinguished academician not only for Manipur but also for the whole of India.

Prof Gangmumei's contributions towards strengthening the idea of Manipur are quite immense, he remarked.

Many people who were acquainted with the charming character of Prof Gangmumei Kamei have opined that had he (Prof Gangmumei) been alive today, the violent crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023 might have been resolved under his leadership, wisdom, diplomacy, sincerity and intellectual alacrity, Prof Joykumar continued.

During the Naga-Kuki clash (1991-99), Prof Gangmumei Kamei initiated a peace process and took active roles in restoring peace in the State, he said.

Prof Joykumar described Prof Gangmumei as a bom fighter endowed with leadership qualities.

In the field of education, he (Prof Gangmumei) was a great academic personality; in the arena of political life, he was a visionary strategist with a sharp ideological principle and in the arena of promotion of a unique cultural identity, he was a great flag-bearer for the promotion of cultural cohesiveness under the roof of a single identity, Prof Joykumar said.

Prof Joykumar asserted that Prof Gangmumei Kamei was a historical personality who solidly stood for the establishment of a single identity through the ideological framework of unity in diversity.

According to Prof Joykumar, Prof Gangmumei was also a great promoter and champion of primordial religion.

As a flag-bearer of cultural integration, Prof Gangmumei Kamei called upon all the ethnic groups of Manipur to foster communal harmony, unite and build a common, comprehensive identity, he said.

Prof Gangmumei Kamei's son Dr Ram Kamei who is also the secretary of Prof Gangmumei Kamei Foundation said that the memorial lecture was not held for some years on account of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Manipur crisis.

"We are holding the fourth memorial lecture today which happens to be the 86th birth anniversary of my father", Dr Ram Kamei said.

He said that his father worked tirelessly for promoting unity and integrity of Manipur under a comprehensive idea of Manipur.

Besides appealing to all the people of both the hills and the valley to acknowledge late Prof Gangmumei Kamei's works towards promoting unity, communal harmony and uniform development across the State, Dr Ram Kamei urged all the ethnic groups to work collectively in order to bring peace, stability and development in Manipur.

Late Prof Gangmumei Kamei's wife, Gangmei Lanshailu who is also the chairperson of Prof Gangmumei Kamei Foundation presided over the memorial lecture which was attended by many people from different parts of Manipur and beyond.