IT News
Imphal, Dec 1:
Though the Chief Minister N Biren Singh-led government claimed to have extinguished the VIP culture in Manipur, the Sangai Festival translated the statement paradoxically.
Arguably Manipur’s most prominent cultural-cum-tourism festival, the 10-day-long Sangai Festival, dropped the curtain with much grandeur Wednesday evening with the finale organized at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT) in Imphal. People rejoiced the festival’s myriad events across different locations across the state with much jubilation, braving the dust, and repugnant management of eclectic events and installations in the exhibition. Moreover, the glitzy promotions by the Tourism Department swayed the people like never before.
Adding more savour, the organizers roped in a handful of famed Bollywood stars, among them two former Miss Universe. People rejoiced at the news of their coming to Manipur to be showstoppers even before the festival kicked off. Thousands planned to attend the festival’s grand finale to get a glimpse of the graceful former Miss Universe actor Sushmita Sen. However, a surprising turn of events shattered the dreams of thousands of ordinary people – the event turned out to be for a handful of VIPs, their family, and elites. Organizers turned thousands of people away, claiming that the theatre’s capacity was total. It was not unprecedented.
The organizers were well aware that the BOAT could not house everyone who came to witness the grand event in general and the Main Hoon Naa star in particular. How come the government decided to organize the occasion of the world-known Sushmita Sen, where even spectators fought to enter the theatre to watch the Manipuri video film Basantagee Nongallamdai as it was overflowing around fifteen years ago? The seating capacity of BOAT is only 5000, according to the Directorate of Art and Culture website. In exhilaration, Mr. Biren, on November 28, even announced a half-holiday on the 29 and 30 November, provoking the people to attend the festival in large numbers. Some individuals even protested outside the BOAT, arguing with security forces why they were not allowed to enter despite having invitations and passes. Moreover, they claimed that only VIPs were permitted to the event by those police officers while they were manhandled.
When people, including journalists, captured the whole discord on their smartphones, police attempted to snatch the phones. What a misuse of power and authority! This police action submits a question: When have photography and videography in public places become illegal in Manipur? And under whose command the policemen carried out such an act? Or was it because the policemen were trying to shield their misuse of power and authority? And will the government take action against these police officers or protect them? Nonetheless, it came as no surprise since India ranked 150 among 180 nations in the World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders in its 2022 report. While civilians, including women holding their children, stand outside helpless, Ministers, VIPs, their relatives, and elites swarm the BOAT stage to take a SELFIE with the Hindi film actor.
