Editor
Hmar Students' Association screens Hindi films in Manipur to mark Independence Day and oppose Meitei terror groups
Manipur: After a long hiatus of two decades, the vibrant sights and sounds of Hindi cinema will once again grace the northeastern state of Manipur. The Hmar Students' Association (HSA), a group of tribal students in Manipur, has taken a bold step to showcase a selection of Hindi movies on Tuesday, August 15, at the HSA campus in Rengkai, located in Manipur's Churachandpur district.
This move to screen Hindi films comes after a 20-year gap, a period during which Hindi movies had been conspicuously absent from Manipur's entertainment landscape. The initiative is a significant gesture to commemorate the 77th Independence Day of India and symbolizes the HSA's defiance against Meitei terror groups and the Manipur state government's oppressive policies.
The movie screening is particularly poignant given the historical context. The HSA's decision to show Hindi films stands as an assertion of its opposition to the hegemony of Meitei terror groups and the Manipur state government, both of which have allegedly subjugated tribal communities for decades.
As part of this cinematic revival, four Hindi movies will grace the big screen, including popular titles like "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" featuring Shahrukh Khan and "Uri: The Surgical Strike." These films, chosen for their entertainment value, also serve as symbolic representations of unity and defiance.
In a statement issued by the HSA, they elaborated on their motivations: "Over 20 Hmar women, some minors, were raped by cadres of Meitei terror group United National Liberation Front/Kangleipak Communist Party in 2006 in order to teach the villagers 'a lesson' for supporting the Indian Army’s efforts in restoring law and order in Hmar Hills (now Pherzawl District). Now, in 2023, we are facing Manipur state-sponsored violence led by a chief minister who belongs to a dominant community. Join us in taking a pledge to continue our fight for freedom and justice. It may be mentioned that Hindi films have been banned in Manipur for over 20 years now."
The HSA's message of resilience and freedom is coupled with their commitment to stand up against anti-national terror groups, who had previously called for an Independence Day boycott. This cinematic showcase not only symbolizes a return to cultural diversity but also serves as a rallying point for the marginalized tribal communities in Manipur.
As Hindi movies return to the screens of Manipur after two decades, they carry a message of resilience, unity, and the unyielding spirit of those who refuse to be silenced. The Hmar Students' Association's bold move is a testament to the enduring power of cinema as a medium of expression and an agent of change.