IT News
Imphal, Jan 28:
109th Birth Anniversary of freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu was celebrated at Namdunlong, Imphal organised by Zeliangrong Civil Organisations (ZCOs).
Dr. R. Gaikhamsin, Social Scientist and resource person of the programme elaborated on the political movement launched against the British administration by Jadonang and Rani Maa Gaidinliu.
Zeliangrong Youth Front President Mr. G. Gaiganglung, Zeliangrong Baudi Manipur President Mr. Poupoklung Kamei, and Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland) Vice-President Mr. Titus Kamei also spoke during the celebration function.
The speakers appreciated the Govt of India’s acknowledgment and conferment of many awards in honor to the selfless sacrifice and contribution of Rani Maa Gaidinliu in the freedom movement and at the same time expressed dissatisfaction over the manner of Govt of India not reciprocated in a befitting and deserving manner. The leaders dwelt on the irrelevancy of Govt. of India’s conferment of awards and dedication to developmental works without fulfilling the political aspiration to keep her people safe and secure in certain political arrangements under the ambit of the Indian Union is meaningless. With the Govt of India lacking seriousness in dealing the issue of Zeliangrong people has now threatened the territory of Zeliangrong people from different factors in the three Indian States namely Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland. Even the developmental works dedicated in her name remained incomplete and left abandoned in some places such as a Museum cum Library constructed somewhere in 2004 at Kohima, Nagaland; Guest house at Luangkao constructed in 2011, and the Freedom Fighter’s Museum where the foundation stone was laid and declared by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah through virtual mode in 2021 in the present of Ministers and dignitaries is yet to commence work till date.
Jadonang and Rani Maa Gaidinliu launched a freedom movement against the British administration like many Indian leaders at that time who wanted India free from the yoke of British colonial rule. Jadonang was arrested, implicated in a murder case, and hanged to death by the British Colonial rule and Rani Maa Gaidinliu was sentenced to life imprisonment. She was released by the first Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru after India attained her freedom in 1947 and she was conferred the title Rani thereof.
She was not happy and content in her heart with her released from prison without getting freedom for her people and her dissatisfaction was evident and manifested by the regrouping of her supporters and went back underground again post her release. With the promise of Indian leaders to grant certain political autonomy, she came out overground. She met and held a series of negotiations with the Prime Minister of India Smt. Indira Gandhi. During the Prime Ministership of Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, a political arrangement was assured in the form of the Central Development Authority (CDA) in 1990 but unfortunately, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in Tamil Nadu in 1991 and since then the assurance remained unfulfilled till today.
The BJP Govt under the Prime Ministership of Narendra Modi, celebrated her 100 years Birth Anniversary centenary in 2015 throughout the year but nothing tangible and secure mechanism to secure and safeguard the Zeliangrong people under the ambit of the Indian Constitution has been formulated and granted thus far. The Zeliangrong Civil Organisations (ZCOs) celebrate Rani Maa’s Birth Anniversary every year with the purpose of reminding the Govt of India to do something for the Zeliangrong people and fulfill her aspiration if really honor the freedom fighter’s contribution.
The Govt of India is strongly urged to note that celebrating the Birth Anniversary of Rani Maa in a pomp and show manner aiming to gain political mileage may not give rest and peace to her departed soul. This is the golden opportunity for the Govt of India to act in a deserving and befitting manner to Rani Maa’s contribution with the celebration of the 75th Republic day on the 26th.
