Meet rejects Govindaji Temple Board amendment Bill
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 17 2014: Reacting against the decision of the Manipur State Assembly to bring the 'Umanglais' under the ambit of Govindaji Temple Board, Umanglai Kanba Apunba Lup (UKAL) organized a public meeting at Iboyaima Shumang Lila Shanglen at palace compound here today.

Disapproving the sections 2 and 17 of the Govindaji Temple Board 3rd Amendment Bill (bill no.10 of 2014), the gathering adopted five resolutions including the demand for withdrawal of the Bill before September 10 .

The gatherings, while rejecting the amended Bill which makes it mandatory to seek permission of Pandit Loishang which is under Govindaji Temple Board for performance of rituals of Umanglais, demanded the government to withdraw the Bill before 10 September, failing which UKAL in collusion with the people would launch several types of agitations.

The meeting also resolved to preserve the 'Umanglais' and also to observe July 25 on which the Bill was passed in State Assembly as 'Umanglai Kanba Numit' .

During the meeting, President of Lainingkol Oinam Major Khuman, retired principal Ng.

Kangjia Mangang, vice-president of UKAL H.Epumacha, vice-president of Lai Lup N.Indramani, Ex-Minister RV Mingthing, Lai Lup members Mutua Bahadur, M.Apabi and S.Kondumba took the dais as presidium members.

In his keynote address, Maniton contended that putting the affairs of 'Umanglais' under the ambit of Govindaji Temple Board amounts to violation of the Constitution of India.

The decision may affect the unity and harmony among the Meiteis, he pointed out.

RV Mingthing, speaking on the occasion, rejected the Assembly Resolution to bring the 'Umanglais' under the Govindaji Temple Board, and pointed out that even the United Nations has passed declarations for the protection of indigenous faiths.

Advocate Sanasam Sarat charged that the Bill is a move to eliminate an indigenous group and a design for Hidunisation.

He further said, if the Governor of Manipur gives its consent to the Bill, which is against the Constitution of India, it may invite contempt of court.

Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao on the sidelines of the public meeting, N.Indramani recalled that during the time of king Okendro, Pandit Loisang was closed down and Utra Sanglen was set up as a cultural unit.

Different offices (Loisangs) for Pena, Maichou, Maiba, Maibi etc.

were also established, he added.

The meeting demanded the Governor to withdraw the Bill which may pose as a wedge between different sections of the community.

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