While condemning the decision of the central government to impose Hindi as a compulsory subject in North East states of India, the All Manipur Progressive Farmers’ Association (AMPFA) has demanded the chief minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh to declare his stand and opinion in this regard.

In a press release issued on Monday, AMPFA stated that the announcement made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Hindi as a compulsory subject till class X standard in North Eastern states of India including Manipur is very unfortunate. Manipur is inhabited by different ethnic communities having their own distinct culture, tradition, dialect, languages and so on, the association said.

There was a strong bonding among the various communities of the state and history proves it. However, such a relationship was shattered to some extent due to forceful Hinduization, AMPFA alleged while asserting that instead of promoting Manipuri language to bring oneness in the state of Manipur, imposing Hindi language is not acceptable at all.

The association further said that, in connection with the Hindi language issue, some leaders from North Eastern states had already declared their stand of condemnation like the outer MP of Manipur, Lorho Pfoze and the chief minister of Mizoram. The chief minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh should also reveal his stand in public domain, the association demanded.

The authorities concerned should also listen to the opinion and views of the public before announcing any kind of policies and programmes. They would extend their solidarity in any kind of agitation launched in the state in connection with imposition of Hindi language, AMPFA said.