Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Aug 17:
Vehemently condemning the bomb blast at ISKCON complex yesterday many organisations cutting across religious affinity conveyed of holding prayer mourning/session for peaceful rest of the departed souls as well as for speedy recovery of many who sustained injuries in the ghastly act.
conveying solidarity to families of the deceased and wounded, International Society for Krishna Consciousness exhorted all to desist from violence of any kind.
With the growth of human race, global phenomenon of socio-economic development, co-existence of people with varied interest, faith and language a community or section preferring to embrace different religion is not only a natural course but is equally inevitable, asserted Damodar Swami.
With the advancement of modernity the concept that 'might is right' is passe' and no more relevant in today's society as people of the present day are relentlessly advocating peace as a tool to solve any differences of opinion, he added.
Reminding that Lord Krishna's teaching had no room for violence to achieve any cherished goal of life, the Dorendra Swami expressed deep sorrow that certain elements are deeply inclined towards principle of violence that had even led to bloodshed among the blood brothers.
Manipur's situation has taken such a drastic turn that even members of the same clan no longer hesitate to resort to violence, the Swami lamented while appealing to the hill and valley inhabitants of the State that 'God is one' but revered and followed by the disciples in different form and shape.
On the otherhand, ISKCON's North America-based Communication Minister Anuttama Dasa in a message via e-mail said "we are sickened and greatly saddened by this horrible, vicious act." "The victims were innocent devotees of God.
This is no excuse for such wanton act of violence.
We pray for the victims and their families, and we pray that Lord Krishna will soon lift the terrible veil of hatred and violence that is covering the world," the e-mailed message added.
Besides voluntary and civil society organisations, Kuki Movement for Human Rights, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and All Manipur Muslims (Meitei Pangal) Welfare Association (AMPWA) joined the condemnation choruses issued to the press today.
On behalf of numerous Hindu organisations of the State, RSS took grim note of the perpetrators not even sparing children and aged devotees who had assembled at the temple premise to celebrated Janmasthami last evening.
Terming the attack as demonic and of terrorist intent, RSS called upon the people for a unified movement in rooting out all evil forces from the society.
Describing the attack as unimaginable, unthinkable, uncivilized and barbaric Kuki Movement for Human Rights expressed shock that the crime was carried out inside the religious temple wherein innumerable devotees led by the internationally renowned religious leader from Manipur Swamiji Damodara were present.
The crime is committed not only against humanity but against God himself who is the creator, preserver and protector of all humankind, said the Kuki rights body while expressing that the incident is even more shocking and 'very serious historical turn for the people of Manipur' as many foreign nationals were also injured.
It also opined that person(s) responsible for the criminal act need to explain to the entire population within and beyond the State.
An emergency meeting of AMPWA condemning that bomb blast at the religious congregation as inhumane and beyond acceptance expressed deep concerned that persons with criminal attitude have begun to challenge sanctity of religious sites, practice and ethics.
The Muslim body also conveyed of observing two minutes silence in honour of the departed souls and in praying for speedy recovery of the many injured.
Expressing shock and anxiety that the attackers had chosen such a large public gathering to execute their agenda, manipur Forward Youth Front also cast aspersions on how could the perpetrators breach strong presence of security personnel.
Opining that the attack might have been carried out to dilute Manipur's image to the international fora as the vicious incident took place amidst presence of many foreign nationals, MAFYF demanded that a high level inquiry be ordered to ascertain all circumstances leading to the blast.
All manipur united Clubs' Organisation condemning the blast in the strongest term, opined that the ghastly act is a crime against secularism whose impact is certain to nullify all efforts in forging unity among the people.
Reminding that a land inhabited by various ethnic groups and communities would unarguably lead to the people embracing different faiths, AMUCO expressed that in a place like Manipur which is host to many sects but had never bred intra-religious grudge, attacking a place of worship is totally against the spirit and attitude of the people.
Accepting that today's concept of partaking in religious celebrations, specially among the naive youngsters, are far from the spiritual spirit, AMUCO nevertheless, construed that launching the attack without any prior information is an act of cowardice.
Pointing that even the lebanese guerilla group Hezbollah honours the principle of secularism, the body cautioned that in case such a criminal act like the ISKCON incident persist the day is not far off when the entire populace would be put on survival test to the most extreme as violence perpetrated against the innocent people tantamount to supporting those elements advocating agenda of State sponsored terrorism.
Reminding all concerned that without the voluntary support of the masses no movement would be fruitful as is documented in volumes of history, AMUCO appealed to all concerned for restraint.
Construing that the attack is against the peace loving people of the State, All manipur Arts and Culture Students' Union cautioned that consequences of the criminal act will only embolden fundamentalist forces in eroding the culturally rich and creative manipuri society.
The incident will also no doubt leave an indelible mark in the history of Manipur apart from creating fear psychosis to followers of different religions and impeding progress of performing artistes who have contributed enormously in enriching the State's culture and tradition.
In its condemnation statement, Manipur Peace and Integrity Council demanded that all armed revolutionary groups clarify on the incident without further delay.
All concerned should clarify in the same zeal and courage as was exhibited when the explosive device was hurled in the midst of the large public gathering, insisted the Council.
Strongly condemning the attack, ACOAM-Lup (Manipur), Apokpa Marup (Mayai Lambi) and All Manipur Senior Citizens' Welfare Association fervently appealed to all concerned to desist from such devilish act in future.
while United Committee Manipur fumed at the attitude of the attacker/s and challenged the perpetrator/s to storm and slay school children if such an act would satisfy their agenda, Ethno Heritage Council deplored that yesterday's bomb blast at the sacred place would only lead to misconception that manipuris are atheist.
Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur, Naoria Kendra Women Welfare Association, All Manipur Women Voluntary Association, Khwairamband Bazar Stalls' Association, Manipur State Bharat Scouts and Guides, lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board, Shri Shri Govindajee Temple Board, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, Bahujan Samaj Party, Janata Party (Manipur), Threatened Indigenous Peoples' Society (Manipur), United People's Front (Manipur), All Manipur Bar Association, Communist Party if India (Marxist) Manipur State Committee, democratic Youth Federation of India (manipur State Committee), manipur Nata Sankirtana Yokhatpa, Thijinba Lup, (Kwakeithel Thounaojam Leikai), united NGOs Mission-Manipur, Women's Forum for Cultural Foundation-ISKCON, Association of Professional Social Workers, Thangmeiband United Club, Kege Moirang Apunba Lup, MOMNU Eerikkhombi Lup, New Checkon Youth Club, Kongba Apunba Nupi Lup, Imphal East United Clubs' Organisation, Poirei Ita Meirapaibi Apunba Lup, Khwai Lalambung Makhong Nisha Band Meira Paibee Lup, Lalambung Development Committee, Ibudhou Makhellakpa Social Development Organisation, Apunba Naharol Yaipha Thousil Kanglup, Manipur Loumi Lup, Manipur Sahitya Parishad, State Baha'i Council of the Baha'is of Manipur, L Ibomcha Singh (MLA), M Bhorot Singh (MLA), All Manipur Government Higher Secondary Lecturers' Welfare Association, Foundation for University of Sanamahi Culture (Chingoi Maru Langmaiching), Lainingthou Sanamahi Thougal Kanglup, Chanura Marup Manipur People's Party, All manipur Nupi Marup, Chanura Lamchinglel Kangleipak, Students' Federation of India Manipur State Committee, All India Youth Federation (Manipur State Council & Patsoi Local council), Manipur State Council All India Students' Federation, Nationalist Congress Party Manipur Pradesh, BJP Manipur Pradesh, Manipur State Council Communist Party of India, Janata Dal (Secular) Manipur, Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur, South Asia Fraternity manipur Unit, Meghalaya Manipuri Welfare Society, Manipur University Officers' Association, MU Teachers' Assn, MU Staff Assn and MU Students' Union also condemned the blast that killed and maimed many devotees on the auspicious day.