The Manipur government is set to declare the death anniversary of Haipou Jadonang as a restricted holiday after being approved by the state cabinet, MLA Kh Joykishan announced in Imphal on Monday.
The MLA was conveying the message of Chief Minister N Biren during the observance of the 91st Death Anniversary of Haipou Jadonang at Jadonang Park in Imphal West.
The event was organised by the State Level Haipou Jadonang Death Anniversary Committee under the aegis of Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur Nagaland).
Offering of Jou Pan Keikhang (holy wine) to the almighty, lighting of candle and floral tributes at the memorial of Haipou Jadonang and observing a two-minute silence as an honour to the departed leader marked the opening ceremony of the observance.
Pointing out that observing a two-minute silence and a formal function on every death anniversary of the departed leader will be meaningless, Joykishan called on all the Zeliangrong people to take a collective stand on every death anniversary by embracing his visions and ideologies.
Stating that the drug issue and the threat to indigenous population due to influx of illegal migrants is a kind of invisible war in Manipur, the MLA appealed for everyone's participation in the war on drugs in the state.
“In such a war, rally and demonstration will not work,” he said, adding, “In this war everyone needs to actively become a warrior and show that the spirit of our leader like Haipou Jadonang is alive within us.”
MLA RK Imo said that the freedom and lives which were given by the past leaders and freedom fighters need to be preserved by all.
He also stressed the need for inclusion of the significant history of Manipur in the education curriculum so that the struggles of leaders of Manipur in its freedom movement are known to all the upcoming generations.
Pointing out the need of a dedicated hall for Haipou Jadonang, apart from the park, to organise events and functions in Imphal without any disturbances to the traffic movement and other inconvenience, he apprised the Zeliangrong Union to find the location while assuring to provide the best assistance from the legislatures side in the construction work.
Imo called for unity among all the indigenous groups to unanimously carve a better future of Manipur.
Apart from giving a brief history of the departed leader by social scientists Dhanabir Laishram, various folk songs and dances were demonstrated by different troops of the Zeliangrong community.
The 91st Martyrdom of Haipou Jaodanang was also observed by the Kabui Union, Manipur (KUM) in collaboration with the Keikhu Kabui Youth Club at Keikhu Kabui Community Hall in Imphal East.
Speaking to the media on the sideline of the observance, president of KUM, Heera Kabui, said that the Kabui tribe would have gone extinct due to the influence of Christianity if there was no Jadonang.
With only a few left confining to the Kabui religion, the Kabui’s identity is on the verge of extinction in the near future, he lamented calling the attention of the government to take up necessary measures to preserve and protect Kabui’s identity.
He said the day is a very emotional day for the Kabui tribe as Jadonang, since his teenage years, had been fighting against the British policy that suppressed the indigenous religion of the Kabui by ways of introducing Christianity.
“Some vested interest groups are trying to mislead the history of Jadonang,” he said, adding, “There was no such thing as Zeiliangrong during Jadonang’s time. He was born as Kabui in the Malangmei clan.”
Stating that the Kabui language was introduced at the level of primary school in 2014, unfortunately it was replaced by Rongmei language in 2018. “There is a big doubt on whether the government is trying to abolish the Kabui language,” he expressed.
A specific community will be extinct if its language and culture are extinct, he said, appealing to the state government to look into the matter and save and protect the Kabui community.
Meanwhile, the Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) on Monday stated that the 91st martyrdom anniversary of Haipou Jadonang was organised by Zeliangrong Civil Organisations (ZCOs) at Langthabal Chingkha Village, Imphal West on Monday.
The chief of Langthabal Chingkha village Ph Lungpuiga paid candle light tribute to mark the occasion, stated a release. Zeliangrong Students’Union (ZSUM) secretary Peter Panmei, and president, Zeliangrong Youth Front Manipur (ZYFM), Pamai Thonribou delivered the welcome address and vote of thanks. Village elders, senior leaders, Women’s societies, youths and student leaders attended the programme, it stated.
The All Zeliangrong Students’ Union AZSU (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) president, T Henry Chawang; Zeliangrong Youth Front ZYF (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) president M Lunglailung; All Zeliangrong Arts and Culture president Poudongai Kamson; Zeliangrong Baudi ZB (Manipur) president Poupoklung Kamei; Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) vice-president Titus Kamei spoke on the occasion.
