Why do Prime Minister of India want Leishemba Sanajaoba to be Rajya Sabha MP of Manipur
- Part 3 -

Dr. Khomdon Lisam *

Mera Houchongba : Festival of bond of love between the hill and plain people on 13th October 2019 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

Unlike other states Manipur State is now facing many problems like Naga Frame Work Agreement with the possibility of forming a Pan-Naga cultural body and a Naga Territorial Council which will be outside the purview of the Manipur State Government threatening the 2000 year old history, inter ethnic relationship , communal harmony, peace, unity and development of Manipur.

The Indo-Kuki Peace Talk on 25 June at the Ashoka Hotel has already agreed to formation of an autonomous kuki Territorial Council out of Manipur. The Kuki militant organisations was represented by foreigner Kukis who entered Manipur without proper documents. Unfortunately one Meitei Chief Minister had encouraged formation of Kuki militant groups in Manipur with the help of senior Kuki leaders.

At this juncture, the CSOs and some Manipur media agencies of Maipur were keeping silent on this issue. These problems should not be solved through violence strategy. We need to amend the Indian Constitution to provide Constitutional safeguards for the Meiteis and other smaller ethnic groups .We may be required to request Shri Narendra Modi to contest the Lok Sabha election from the Manipur Constituency.

Because the areas of the proposed constitutional amendment for ensuring peace, unity, communal harmony and development in Manipur is too many. Any Meitei or Tribal M.P will not be able to cover all the aspects at one go.

We need to provide constitutional protection to the Meiteis. Rajya Sabha is the representation of states not the people. Therefore all the states should be equally represented –not based on population.

Further, having only two Lok Sabha M.Ps is not viable. under the existing Indian Constitution, no Manipuri can become Prime Minister of India for another 1000 years even if Jesus Christ, Shri Krishna or Prophet Muhammad represent Manipur.

Initially, we can request the Government of India to grant one upper house of 50 seats where academicians, businessmen, smaller ethnic groups may be allowed to represent. Manipur have not been benefitted from any contribution of M.Ps during the last 68 years of Indian Constitution.

We have seen that even the three M.Ps from Manipur are not in talking terms. They only put one or two star questions in the parliament and they have not brought forward any innovative idea in the Parliament to ensure peace, unity, harmony and development of Manipur.

Points for consideration of the demands and grievances of CSOs

1. The Titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba should abdicate the Titular Kingship before joining the Rajya Sabha .
Abdication can be effective if done with proper pre-arrangement. Is Titular King means the name of an individual or name of the post. Can Leishemba Sanajaoba use Manipur State Constitution Act-1947 as a legal instrument to help him in his day to day work. Can Leishemba Sanajaoba do it without consulting with Manipur State Council which is now based in London to finalise abdication and succession.

Under what provision of law, the Titular King will abdicate the post of Titular Kingship. To be frank, the Titular King of Manipur is functioning without any legal support. Then comes the question of succession. Without deciding to whom the title of Titular King will be given, Succession may not happen. Who will decide the succession of Leishemba Sanajaoba ?

No authority appointed him as the Titular King. After abdication, who will become the Titular King. Which authority will appoint the successor Titular King. Unless, there is a customary law or an Act explaining the legal procedure , it will be next to impossible on the part of Leishemba Sanajaoba to abdicate and to select the successor heir. Here the CSOs may help the Titular King in taking the right decision.

2. The Titular King Leishemba Sanajaoba should review his decision to contest the Rajya Sabha MP election before the election, which is scheduled on 26 march, 2020.
This is not possible under the prevailing circumstances Here the statement of Ranjan Gogoi , former Chief Justice of India may come handy. Some people of Assam asked Ranjan Gogoi as to "why do you join BJP after serving as the Chief Justice of India." He replied " let me swear in as the M.P of Rajya Sabha . I will give the reply after that."

3.Titular King Leishemba Sanajaoba can not hold the post of the Titular King and Rajya Sabha member at the same time.
Is there any law in India or elsewhere to support the statement ? . if the CSOs know it, they may quote it If there is no law, they will need the expert opinion of the lawyers. The post of Titular King is not an office of profit.

4.The people of Manipur have been charging the government of India for forced merger of Manipur to India since 21 September 1949 till date but the decision of the Titular King Leishemba Sanajaoba to become Rajya Sabhaha M.P will signify that the merger of Manipur to India was done is legitimate and proper procedure.

The question of forced merger agreement can be finally decided by the revival of Manipur State Constitution Act-1947. Why not we fight for amendment of the constitution of India and also greater autonomy of Manipur to bring harmony, peace, unity and development of the state.

5.The Titular King of Manipur is looked upon as the symbol of love, peace and unity among all the ethnic groups in Manipur. The social status of the Titular king is much higher than that of M.P. One may be elected by the people as an M.P or MLA but he can not become a King or Titular King.

Some section of population wants Leishemba Sanajaoba to be an effective M.P; He should not step down from the position of Titular King without identifying his successor .Moreover he needs to be supported by an appropriate law.

6.The Titular King is the head of the cultural, traditional, religious, rituals ,customary laws and practices in Manipur both in hills and valley. He is also entitled to enjoy personal rights, privileges, dignities, titles, authority over religious observances, customs usages, rites and ceremonies and institutions in-charge of the same in the state. The merger agreement of Manipur signed on 21 September, 1949 specifically mentioned these points.

7.Thousands of young people including militant groups sacrifice their lives to achieve independence of Manipur and to protect the culture, tradition, language of Manipur which are under the domain of the Titular King. It will be impossible to safeguard these without the support of the Titular King.

The insurgency problem in Manipur is the making of the Government of India. It should be treated as political problem. The state and the central governments should give top priority to this problem.

8.Many Civil Society Organisations, Meira Paibees and women groups spent sleepless nights at the Sana Konung (Royal Palace) to protect the Sana Konung from possible eviction of the Titular King because of the cabinet decision to acquire the Royal Palace to make it a museum and tourist spot by taking the advantage of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904

The State and the Central Governments should refrain from acquiring the land and buildings of the Manipur royal palace without finalising all the essential procedures.

9. Leishemba Sanajaoba carried out the duties and functions of the Titular King very well up to the satisfaction of the people from 1996 till date. There is no complain against Leishemba Sanajaoba during 1996 -2020

Leisemba Sanajaaoba should continue to be the Titular King. There should be an appropriate law to ensure smooth and proper functioning of the Manipur Royal Palace.

10.The CSOs do not have any objection to his becoming Rajya Sabha M.P but he should abdicate the post of Titular King forthwith before he joins Rajya Sabha as an M.P . The question of abdicating the title of Titular King before joining as an M.P of the Rajya Sabha has been discussed under sl.no.-1

11.The Tangkhul Chiefs association and many village authorities expressed unconditional support and happiness over Titular King Leishemba Sanajaoba becoming an M.P of Rajya Sabha. They mentioned that the decision is a right decision and will bring unity among all ethnic groups in Manipur.

Leishemba Sanajaoba, Titular King should treat all ethnic groups and communities settled in Manipur equally and he should work for bringing love, harmony, peace , unity and development of all ethnic groups in Manipur.

Suggestions

Today Manipur is burning. we have to find appropriate permanent remedy to prevent any possible eruption of volcano. The volcano may erupt any moment because of wrong policies of the government of India. We should stop blaming each other.

Let us wish all success to Leishemba Sanajaoba in his election and as an effective MP . Let us not spoil the relationship between Titular King him and CSOs. The people know the good relationship between CSOs and Titular King.

Let us give him energy and strength to become an effective Rajya Sabha MP. The young people of Manipur should be led not misled

Concluded ...