Joy fires fresh salvo at BJP Govt

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 6: Veteran politician Okram Joy has lambasted the State Government for its failure to push for classification of Manipuri language as a Classical language.
The Manipuri language, which is included in the 8th Schedule, is not among five languages which have been newly classified as classical languages. This is due to sheer ignorance of the language by the State Government and its flawed governance, said the veteran politician.
He was attending the 10th foundation cum Parents Day celebration of Angel Kids at Kakwa Lilando Lampak community hall when he made the statement.
His remarks came after the Union Cabinet recognised five languages-- Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit as Classical languages.
India now has a total of 11 Classical  languages--Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit.
Okram Joy said the Manipuri language has all the essence of a Classical language and it should have been given the recognition had the Government taken keen interest in promoting the language.
He further commented on the present Manipur conflict and accused the BJP-led Central Government of playing geopolitical games and waging proxy war in collusion with the State Government.
He said the Centre is prolonging the conflict and there is no rule of law in Manipur.
The Manipur Assembly remaining silent when 10 Kuki MLAs are working to break Manipur 3-ways isn't right. The Assembly Speaker and the Secretary failing to take action against the Kuki MLAs who want to break Manipur is in itself breaking the law. Action should also be taken up against them for their failures, O Joy said.
He asserted that the rule of law has been applied to the public only.
When the 10 MLAs seek to break Manipur's integrity, no action has been taken against them for they are either BJP or supporting the party. On the other hand, the public who are protesting on the streets for protecting the State's integrity have been cracked down. The rule of law seems to have been applied to the public only, O Joy said.
Speaking of the occasion, he lauded the school and encouraged it to impart values to the students for them to become responsible citizens.
Former Sr Accounts Officer, Development of Tribal and Backward Classes, Thoudam Ibochou Singh, Oinam Thingel Gram Panchayat Pradhan Thongam Guneshwor Singh and Manipuri film actress Biju Ningombam attended the event.