Manipur Independence Day celebrated across state
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 14 2025: Various civil society organisations commemorated the 78th Manipur Independence Day on Thursday.

All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) celebrated the 78th Manipur Independence Day at its Kwakeithel Akham Leikai office.

During the celebration, attended by AMUCO president Soraisam Memcha, and All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA) president Yumkhaibam Kunjarani among others, the Ibudhou Pakhangba flag was hoisted.

Speaking on the occasion, AMUCO president Pheiroijam Nando Luwang reminded that Manipur's Independence Day celebrated every year on August 14 underscore yearning of the people to live independently, and should not be construed as anti-India.

He continued that the observance is meant to discuss what independence truly means and the grievances associated of being under others' rule.

Quoting JJ Rousseau that "Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains", Nando stated that the indigenous people have lost their independence after merging with India.

Manipur Independence Day celebrated across state

Manipur has suffered immensely since the merger, with the society losing its customs and traditions and its indigenous population forced to fight amongst themselves.

As such, the people have wondered how life was drastically different when Manipur was independent.

While India attained independence from the British on August 15, Manipur and even Pakistan got independence 12 hours earlier on the intervening night of August 14 and 15 .

However, it needs to be questioned whether the celebration of India's Independence Day on August 15 conforms to the wishes of the then leaders of the freedom movement.

This is because the then Lord Wavell tried to begin the independence process in June, 1948 .

However, Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India decided to pre-pond the date by ten months to August 15, 1947, the AMUCO president claimed, explaining that initially leaders of that time were exalted with the news but after consulting with astrologers on the auspicious of the day, realised that August 15 was inauspicious.

As such, the leaders urged Lord Mountbatten to change the date, but the latter refused to budge, stating that the date symbolised Japan's surrender during the Second World War when he was the commander of Allied Forces, Nando further stated.

After some back and forth, the leaders proposed for grant of independence at the stroke of midnight of August 14, to respect Lord Mountbatten's wish and to prevent India's independence from falling on an inauspicious day.

Lord Mountbatten agreed to the proposal as the British followed the 12-hour format and as such, 12am became the next day.

India, however, did not regard the start of a new day before the sunrays are seen.

In short, although the then leaders did not regard August 15 as Independence Day due to the inauspiciousness, the country is now celebrating the same on August 15, he remarked.

In the context of Manipur, it celebrated August 14 as Manipur Independence Day, which is the correct step.

Contrary to what the Indian leaders negotiated with Lord Mountbatten, Manipur saw to it that the transfer of power was done in ease with MK Priyobrata sworn in as the then 'Chhoto Saheb' and Bhubonsana, Konjeng Gouro, Kunjamo-hon and Mohamad Bashe as members of the Durbar in Sana Konung, around 8am of August 14.Later, around 12am, the British handed back the reigns of Manipur to Maharaj Bodhchandra, Nando recounted.

Around 7.10 am on August 15, Maharaj Bodhchandra along with his queen offered floral tributes at Kangla to celebrate the kingdom's independence, followed by hoisting of the Ibudhou Pakhangba embossed flag hoisted at State Durbar, at 7.40am, and around 8am, the then political agent GP Stewart formally handed over the power to Maharaj Bodh-chandra before the masses at Durbar Hall.

This indicated that the king of Manipur was not just the monarch of the Meetei community or the valley, but all of Manipur.

Thus, the groups creating chaos in Manipur on community lines and alleging that the king of Manipur is only for the valley, is completely wrong, he asserted.

Two years after obtaining independence from the British, Manipur was merged into India with Maharaj Bodhchandra forced to sign the Merger Agreement (or annexation, as claimed by many).

Joint Students' Coordination Committee (JSCC) also celebrated the 78th Manipur Independence Day-2025 at Comet School, Changangei on Thursday.

Delivering the keynote address, Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) president Hijam Roshan stressed the need for all including the Meetei, Meitei Pangal and the hill communities to work together for the sake of future generations.

He continued that the once independent kingdom of Manipur was one of many sovereign powers existing in South Asia at the time but came under British rule after its defeat in the Anglo-Ma-nipuri War on April 27, 1891 .

After getting independence from the British on August 14, 1947, it was believed that Manipur would regain its sovereign status.

The State Durbar was dissolved on June 30, 1947 and the Maharaja in Council formed on July 1 .

The first chief minister was appointed and the Council began to function with six members.

On August 14, around 7.15am, Maharaj Bodhchan-dra's younger brother was made to resign from his post as a captain in Assam Rifles and the king's immediate younger brother Priyobarta was elected as chief minister.

A council of ministers was also formed, but functioned as an interim council.

The celebration attended by JSCC office members and bearers including KSA president Sukham Bidyananda and SUK president Ningthoujam Dhanakumar Meitei as presidium members was marked by hoisting of the Pakhangba (Phafal Yekpa) flag.

In Thoubal district, SCEAS-DO, HLCSU, Heirok Keithel and Heirok Apunba Meira Paibi jointly celebrated the 79th Manipur (Kangleipak) Independence Day at SCEAS-DO office.

As a part of the celebration, three Meira Paibi members who have been spending nights at Heirok Keithel since the May 3 conflict, to protect their children, were honoured with honorary stoles (lengyan).

Thoubal Kshetri Leikai Apunba Semgat Sagatpa Lup (KASSL) also celebrated 79th Manipur Independence Day by hoisting the Ibudhou Pa-khangba (Malem Paphal) flag on Thursday.

The event was attended by KAMPL president Kshetrimayum Tampha, along with members of various clubs, organisations and Meira Paibi groups of the area.

The Day was also celebrated at Wangjing, EEO Lamding, Nongpok Sekmai, KakMayai Athokpham, Waithou, Pechi, Salungpham and other areas.

In Bishnupur district, the 79th Manipur Independence Day was celebrated at Kumbi Keithel on Thursday by Kumbi Bazar Development Committee (KBDC), Machasinggi Apunba Mama Lup (MAML) Bishnupur District, Khuga Athletics and Library Association (KALIB) Kumbi and Kumbi Ideal Youth Development Organisation (KIYDO).

Social activist Jaya Khangembam led the members of KBDC, KALIB and KIYDO, and students of Kumbi Ideal English School in hoisting the Pakhanba flag as part of the observance.

The social activist also honoured 13 journalists with a T-shirt with the 'PRESS' logo and the title of 'Athouba' On the other hand, United Peoples' Front (UPF) Manipur along with Tripura Manipuri Student and Youth Co-Ordination Committee celebrated the Manipur Independence Day by hoisting the flag of Manipur at Radhanagar in Agartala, Tripura on Thursday.

The celebration was attended by UPF advisor Kh Ratan, president N Rupachandra and secretary general S Anil, Tripura Manipuri Students and Youth Co-Ordination Committee general secretary S Bimol and members.

Meanwhile, CSOs Kangleipak, a conglomerate of IPSA, PANDM, ACOAM-LUP, IPAK, KSA, ERDO, LOYALUP, ANDOK, KANGLAMEI, CLK, KIL, AKSIL, MIKL & SWA, celebrated the 78th Manipur Independence Day with hoisting of the flag of Manipur on Thursday.

Salai Apunba Nupi Lamjing Lup (SANULAL) also celebrated Manipur Independence Day at its head office in Singjamei Chingamakha on Thursday morning.

Similarly, Manipur People's Party (MPP) celebrated the Manipur Independence Day at its office near Mapal Kangjeibung on Thursday.