Restore respect and dignity of the Kanglasa : The State Emblem for Manipur
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Th Kamini Kumar Singh
The Kanglasa is one of the most revered symbols associated with the history of Manipur. It occupies a unique place in the heart of every Manipuri. A true Manipuri in blood will never ever show disrespect and disregard to the Kanglasa. There was a saying related to the Kanglasa that “Sa mamangda angouba makok ken-gani”. It may be translated to the nearest meaning into English as “ the Britishers (angouba) will be beheaded (makok kenba) in front of the Kanglasa (sa)”. The saying came true with the execution of the Britishers in front of the Kanglasa on March 24,1891. The execution of the British Officers was not an act of brutality on the part of the Manipuri but was the outcome of the unprovoked attack on the Manipur Palace by the Britishers to arrest Jubraj Tikendrajit Singh. The Kanglasas witnessed the executions of the British Officers, namely, James Wallac Quinton, the Chief Commissioner of Assam, Lt Col Charles M Skene of 42nd (Gorkha) Regiment of Bengal Light Infantry, Lt Walter Henry Simpson of 43rd (Gurkha) Regiment of Bengal Light Infantry and WH Cossins, ICS, Assistant Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Assam. The bugler who came along with the British Officers on the day to the Manipur Palace was also executed. Frank St. Clair Grimwood, ICS, the Political Agent in Manipur was speared to death by Pukharamba Kajao. The heads of five British Officers were buried at the Nungoibi.
Never in the history of the mighty and powerful British Empire, was there such an instance of execution of the British Officers by the native people. In order to revenge and to uproot the pride and valour of the people of Manipur, the Britishers blasted and destroyed the two Kanglasas on July 20,1891 immediately after Manipur was conquered by the British in the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.
The Kanglasa, an unique historical symbol of Manipur, was declared as the State Emblem for Manipur by the Government of Manipur vide the Home Department Orders No. 8/40/72- POL dated December 18, 1980 (notified in Manipur Gazette Extraordinary No.327 dated 23-12-1980). The relevant part of the Order of the Home Department is reproduced : “The Governor of Manipur is pleased to declare the “KANGLASA” with two horns and inscription below “KANGLASA” as State Emblem for Manipur as per sketch given below with immediate effect. This supersedes of all previous orders in this regard.”
Even though the Kanglasa was declared as the State Emblem for Manipur, it failed to get its due respect and dignity in the State of Manipur. Everyone seems to forget all about the existence of the State Emblem of Manipur. Instead of using the State Emblem of Manipur, We, the people of Manipur, see the use of the State Emblem of India (hereinafter referred to as the Emblem of India) by the Constitutional functionaries like the Governor of Manipur, the Chief Minister, the Ministers and the Speaker of the State of Manipur for their official purposes. If the use of the Emblem of India is more preferred and prideful than the use of the State Emblem of Manipur, the Government of Manipur may take a policy decision to rescind the State Home Department Order dated 18-12-1980 issued for declaration of the Kanglasa as the State Emblem for Manipur. So long as the operation of the said Home Department Order dated 18-12-1980 continues, the use of the Emblem of India by these Constitutional functionaries of the State of Manipur is an act of negligence and insult to the State Emblem of Manipur. Furthermore after the enactment of the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005, it became also an act of improper use of the Emblem of India.
It may be pointed out that to regulate the use of the Emblem of India, Parliament enacted a self-contained legislation, namely the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 and it came into force on 12-9-2007.
The main objects of the Act are to regulate the use of the Emblem of India with a view to (i) prohibit the use of the Emblem of India by members of public, including retired/ former Government officials/ public servants, etc., unless specifically authorised by the Central Government; (ii) prohibit the improper use of the Emblem of India for professional and commercial purposes and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto; and (iii) regulate the use of Emblem of India by Government functionaries.
Section 11 of the State Emblem of India (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 2005, empowers the Central Government to make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act.
(To be contd)
The Kanglasa is one of the most revered symbols associated with the history of Manipur. It occupies a unique place in the heart of every Manipuri. A true Manipuri in blood will never ever show disrespect and disregard to the Kanglasa. There was a saying related to the Kanglasa that “Sa mamangda angouba makok ken-gani”. It may be translated to the nearest meaning into English as “ the Britishers (angouba) will be beheaded (makok kenba) in front of the Kanglasa (sa)”. The saying came true with the execution of the Britishers in front of the Kanglasa on March 24,1891. The execution of the British Officers was not an act of brutality on the part of the Manipuri but was the outcome of the unprovoked attack on the Manipur Palace by the Britishers to arrest Jubraj Tikendrajit Singh. The Kanglasas witnessed the executions of the British Officers, namely, James Wallac Quinton, the Chief Commissioner of Assam, Lt Col Charles M Skene of 42nd (Gorkha) Regiment of Bengal Light Infantry, Lt Walter Henry Simpson of 43rd (Gurkha) Regiment of Bengal Light Infantry and WH Cossins, ICS, Assistant Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Assam. The bugler who came along with the British Officers on the day to the Manipur Palace was also executed. Frank St. Clair Grimwood, ICS, the Political Agent in Manipur was speared to death by Pukharamba Kajao. The heads of five British Officers were buried at the Nungoibi.
Never in the history of the mighty and powerful British Empire, was there such an instance of execution of the British Officers by the native people. In order to revenge and to uproot the pride and valour of the people of Manipur, the Britishers blasted and destroyed the two Kanglasas on July 20,1891 immediately after Manipur was conquered by the British in the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.
The Kanglasa, an unique historical symbol of Manipur, was declared as the State Emblem for Manipur by the Government of Manipur vide the Home Department Orders No. 8/40/72- POL dated December 18, 1980 (notified in Manipur Gazette Extraordinary No.327 dated 23-12-1980). The relevant part of the Order of the Home Department is reproduced : “The Governor of Manipur is pleased to declare the “KANGLASA” with two horns and inscription below “KANGLASA” as State Emblem for Manipur as per sketch given below with immediate effect. This supersedes of all previous orders in this regard.”
Even though the Kanglasa was declared as the State Emblem for Manipur, it failed to get its due respect and dignity in the State of Manipur. Everyone seems to forget all about the existence of the State Emblem of Manipur. Instead of using the State Emblem of Manipur, We, the people of Manipur, see the use of the State Emblem of India (hereinafter referred to as the Emblem of India) by the Constitutional functionaries like the Governor of Manipur, the Chief Minister, the Ministers and the Speaker of the State of Manipur for their official purposes. If the use of the Emblem of India is more preferred and prideful than the use of the State Emblem of Manipur, the Government of Manipur may take a policy decision to rescind the State Home Department Order dated 18-12-1980 issued for declaration of the Kanglasa as the State Emblem for Manipur. So long as the operation of the said Home Department Order dated 18-12-1980 continues, the use of the Emblem of India by these Constitutional functionaries of the State of Manipur is an act of negligence and insult to the State Emblem of Manipur. Furthermore after the enactment of the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005, it became also an act of improper use of the Emblem of India.
It may be pointed out that to regulate the use of the Emblem of India, Parliament enacted a self-contained legislation, namely the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 and it came into force on 12-9-2007.
The main objects of the Act are to regulate the use of the Emblem of India with a view to (i) prohibit the use of the Emblem of India by members of public, including retired/ former Government officials/ public servants, etc., unless specifically authorised by the Central Government; (ii) prohibit the improper use of the Emblem of India for professional and commercial purposes and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto; and (iii) regulate the use of Emblem of India by Government functionaries.
Section 11 of the State Emblem of India (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 2005, empowers the Central Government to make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act.
(To be contd)