Meitei Marup demanded state government’s intervention to stop construction of building to keep wheels of Lord Jagannath’s Rath at the site meant for Ibudhou Pakhangba, Nongshaba and Ima Yumjao Lairembi, before the issue goes out of control
TFM Report
Condemning the recent attempt to construct a Hindu temple at the place for Meetei/Meitei inside the Royal Palace complex, the Opposition Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee on Tuesday alleged that the BJP-led government under chief minister N Biren Singh is trying to abolish the indigenous Sanamahi religion.
In a press conference held at the Rishang Keishing Media Centre of Imphal Congress Bhavan, MPCC spokesperson Bhupenda Ningomba slammed the government for not taking action against those who indulged in religious sacrilege and mishandling amaiba and amaibis (indigenous priests and priestess) hurting religious sentiment of Meetei/Meitei.
Stating that there is a larger conspiracy at play, Bhupenda alleged that chief minister Biren-led government is pushing the RSS BJP agenda of “one nation, one language, one religion”. What is happening inside the complex of Royal Palace is nothing but extension of BJP/RSS ideology of communalism of dividing, suppressing and demolishing other religions that do not suit them, he added.
The press conference was convened in connection with controversy over Govindaji Temple construction being undertaken inside the campus of the Royal Palace (Sana Konung) in Imphal. Pandit Loisang, which is considered to be custodian of indigenous religion of Meitei community, has been objecting to construction
They have maintained that the forced construction of Hindu temple allegedly on Pandit Loishang’s premises is impinging on the age-old sanctity of the indigenous religion of Meitei. They have accused the BJP-led government in Manipur of usurping Pandit Loisang’s land and undertaking a Hindu construction on its premises against the will and consent of Pandit Loishang.
They have submitted a memorandum to the state government demanding to stop construction works on the disputed site and met the chief minister on the issue. Irate at the government’s inaction, amaibas and amaibis staged a sit-in and tried to disrupt the construction works being carried out on war footing on Sunday last.
Addressing the media, the Congress spokespersons said the unparliamentary languages used towards the protesting amaibas and amaibis hurt the sentiment of the Meitei following the indigenous religion. Stating the congress does not take the incident which hurt sentiment of amaibas and amaibis lightly, he demanded legal action against them and their immediate arrest.
The spokesperson lamented that the state government is remaining silent without taking up any action against them.
He said that till date Congress has been safeguarding the secular fabric of the country and has treated all religions equally. Since the BJP came to power in the country, the party has been pushing RSS’s agenda of making the country a Hindu nation, he added.
The attack on amaibas and amaibis of Pandit Lioshang was a part of carrying on the agenda, he claimed.
He further stated, “This is a direct attack on the secularism of the country. Our secularism is under attack. We need to fight against this agenda.” “What I am saying is not to vote but to save the secular structure of the country,” he said, adding that Congress stood against such an act and will always stand for secularism.
Asserting that the Congress will stand firm against any attempt to abolish a religion and will protect freedom to religion given by the Indian Constitution under Article 25, the congress spokesperson said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi at AICC meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday also called for united fight against diabolical BJP/RSS ideology of dividing and suppressing others. She also reminded the Congress’ role in safeguarding and protecting core values of our constitution, fundamentals of our democracy, he added.
Questioning how the state government could construct a religious structure that too with an intention to abolish the indigenous religion, the congress spokesperson demanded a While Paper on it as the use of government funds for religious purposes was illegal.
Meanwhile, Meitei Marup demanded the state government’s intervention to stop construction of the building to keep wheels of Lord Jagannath’s Rath at the site meant for Ibudhou Pakhangba, Nongshaba and Ima Yumjao Lairembi before the issue goes out of control. It also warned of intense agitation if the state government fails to safeguard age-old indigenous religion.