Desecration of Saroi Khangba rituals strongly condemned
Source: The Sangai Express
Jiribam, March 17 2024:
Umang Lai Kanba Apunba Lup (UKAL), Jiri Branch, South East Asia Cultural Organization (SEACO) Jiri Branch, Sanamahi Laining Phurup Lamlen Atingbi Jiri and Sanamahi Laining Lup, Samupunbi Jiri have prohibited the entry of Kukis in Jiribam valley.
The prohibition was announced in connection with an incident yesterday when some Kuki people allegedly desecrated, kicked and used a hoe to clear out the offerings of fruits, vegetables, rice etc made to indigenous deities by the villagers of Leingangpokpi on the auspicious occasion of Saroi Khangba (propitiation of evil spirits) .
Addressing a press conference at Samupunbi, Hamom Dhani Meetei, advisor, UKAL Jiri Branch urged the Government to protect the religious rights accorded to the people as per the Constitution of India and punish the culprits responsible.
He added that the entry of Kukis in Jiribam will be restricted until the perpetrators are booked and punished and a consensus is reached between the two parties.
Separately, Leeching, United Jiri Youth League (UJYL) and Jiribam branch of three student bodies have strongly condemned the incident.
In a press release, Leeching has decried the alleged statement issued by one "Combine Women Society" based at Tatbung, Muktokkhong, Lhangnom which attributed the disrespect shown to the sacred religious ritual as being done by minors.
Leeching asserted that the acts were not perpetrated by minors, as seen in the video footage which has gone viral in social media.
Further, it also questioned the silence of top Kuki organisations such as the Kuki Inpi, KSO etc on the matter.
Leeching has also demanded a clarification from the perpetrators involved in the incident.
Meanwhile, UJYL has demanded a case to be registered against the residents of Tatbung who not only disturbed and desecrated a sacred religious ritual of the Meiteis but were also armed with weapons like knives and iron rods.
UJYL has also denounced the statements released by "Combine Women Society" and one "Department of Information & Publicity Tatbung Village Authority" in this connection.
Addressing the Saroi Khangba incident, three student bodies including DESAM and KSA Jiribam stated that the miscreants involved have displayed a lack of respect for other religions against the secular ethos of the Indian State and tried to make a mockery of the Meitei worshippers by filming and circulating the viral video.
Stating that the insulting acts against Meitei indigenous religion shown in the viral video can ignite the sentiments of the Meitei community and destabilize the peaceful atmosphere in Jiribam, the student bodies have demanded the arrest and punishment of the culprits as per the law of the land.