Boycott of Republic Day: A Reflection of Meiteis' Anti-India Stance Amid Their Secessionism

As the people of India celebrate the 76th Republic Day with enthusiasm, secessionist groups of Meiteis in the north-eastern corners of the country have, time and again, boycotted the grand celebration, raising serious questions about their genuine loyalty to India’s sovereignty and integrity.

The anti-India stance of the Meiteis in their ancestral valley of Imphal is starkly and consistently reflected in their calls for boycotts of every important national event, which is celebrated across the country each year. Once again, they have demonstrated their disloyalty to India by boycotting Republic Day on January 26, 2025, and announcing a total shutdown for 18 hours on the day.

Ahead of the 76th Republic Day, the proscribed Meitei terrorist organizations in Manipur—SOREPA (Socialist Revolutionary Party Kangleipak) and CorCOM (Coordination Committee)—had called for a boycott and shutdown of the occasion.

The Coordination Committee (CorCom), a conglomerate of Meitei extremist groups boycotting Republic Day, consists of several proscribed outfits, including the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), the Revolutionary People’s Front/People’s Liberation Army (RPF/PLA), the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), PREPAK-Pro, the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), and the United National Liberation Front (UNLF). These groups have long been advocating for the establishment of the erstwhile Meitei Kingdom.

Meiteis’ Ethnocentric Nationalism:

It is clear that the Meiteis’ ethnocentric nationalism is based on their anti-India sentiments. This can be substantiated by observing their self-proclaimed Independence Day, which falls on August 14, and their consistent boycott of India’s Independence Day, Republic Day, and other national events. Though they overtly claim to be Indian nationalists, they have no sense of attachment to India’s fraternity. They are truly secessionists, and the idea of India’s sovereignty and integrity is repugnant to them.

Their separatist agenda is clearly evident in their pursuit of undermining India’s sovereign republic. They have a history of attacking and killing Indian security forces/Indian Army personnel, burning the national flag, banning the national anthem, killing mainland Indians in the Imphal valley, and restricting/banning Hindi films. While posing as nationalists online, they push a separatist agenda. They are hypocrites!

Moreover, in recent years, the Meiteis have based their nationalism on ethno-religious rhetoric. Once followers of Hinduism, they have now rejected it and opted for Sanamahism. Under the pretext of preserving or saving “Manipuri/Meitei Culture,” radical Meitei leaders formed the Arambai Tenggol (meaning “dart-wielding cavalry” in Meitei), a private militia group, under the patronage of narcissistic political leaders like N. Biren Singh, the Chief Minister, and their titular king, Leishemba Sanajaoba, the lone Rajya Sabha MP from Manipur. They called for the revival of their Sanamahi religion and forced their people to obey their dictates.

Along with the militias, the Meitei terrorist groups and their supporters have openly challenged the unity and integrity of India, focusing primarily on preserving their Meitei indigenous culture, religion, tradition, and identity, as well as restoring the “glorious past of Kangleipak” [the old name of the Meitei kingdom before King Pamheiba/Gharib Niwas changed its name to Manipur in 1724].

Contrasting Views of Meiteis and Kuki-Zos in Manipur:

While the Meiteis are highly resistant to the idea of being Indian, the Kuki-Zo ethnic groups in Manipur and elsewhere across the country are fully embracing India with pride, celebrating its values and democratic fabric. This stark contrast reveals the differing attitudes towards national identity and unity in the region.

There has been a deep divide among the people of Manipur in the wake of the state-sponsored ethnic cleansing pogrom. The divide between the hills and the valley, which has been engulfed in violent unrest for the past 20 months, has resurfaced amid Republic Day celebrations.

While the valley-based militant groups have called for a boycott of the Republic Day function and disparagingly dubbed the occasion “Colonialist Replicate Day” by enforcing a statewide shutdown, the hill dwellers, particularly the Kuki people, have united with the rest of India by unfurling the tricolour.

Contrary to the Meitei secessionist agenda, Kuki groups have been demanding their legitimate rights under the constitutional framework of free India.

It is worth mentioning that even though the proscribed Meitei terrorists are still banning Bollywood films in Manipur, the Kuki people, in defiance of the Meiteis, began screening Hindi films like Uri and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai after 23 years, during the Independence Day celebrations of 2023. They are building cultural bridges, celebrating Indian identity, and standing firmly with the nation.

Despite being fully aware of the Meitei terrorist groups’ anti-India attitude by boycotting Independence Day and Republic Day for decades, media outlets like Arnab Goswami’s Republic TV and his cohorts, along with some pliable mainland journalists, have been trying to portray the Kuki-Zo community as anti-India. This is pathetic and shameful.

Kuki Community’s Role in the Freedom Struggle:

History testifies that the Kuki people fully participated in India’s freedom struggle. In defence of their land and freedom, the Kuki-Zo groups bravely fought British colonialism for three years from 1917 to 1919, commonly known as the Kuki Rebellion.

It is vital to recognize the remarkable contributions of the Kuki community to India’s freedom movement. Known for their martial traditions and resistance to British rule, the Kukis played a crucial role in the Indian National Army (INA) during World War II.

In 1944, as the INA entered Manipur from Burma, the Kukis extended unwavering support by providing food, shelter, and intelligence. Hundreds of Kuki youth joined the INA, fighting bravely in battles like the Burma Campaign. Kuki women also played a significant role in underground operations, gathering intelligence and aiding the INA’s efforts.

Netaji’s visit to Churachandpur in 1944 was met with enthusiasm by the Kukis, who saw his vision of a free and united India as their own. Despite hardships and sacrifices, the Kuki community’s commitment to the cause of independence remained steadfast.

Their contributions reflect their deep patriotism and deserve greater recognition in the annals of Indian history. The Kuki story stands as a reminder of the collective sacrifices that led to India’s independence.

It is high time that the Government of India and right-thinking citizens of the country recognize the Kuki-Zo community as the last frontier tribes guarding the nation in the borderlands.