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Two eminent theatre personalities from Manipur have resolved to return their Padma Shree awards if the truce without territorial limits with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim is not withdrawn from the state.
M K Binodini Devi and Ratan Thiyam told reporters in Imphal on Tuesday that they would return their awards if the Centre failed to revoke the extension of the truce to the state at the proposed meeting of central and state leaders on July 8 in New Delhi.
"We feel insulted and extremely hurt by the manner in which the Centre took the state for granted and went ahead and signed the agreement. It will have a profound effect on the lives of the people," said Binodini Devi, a noted writer and theatre personality.
"The Centre's belittling of the 2000-year-old history and culture which has culminated in exquisite art is an insult to all of us," Thiyam said.
"It has been a long history. Different communities have seen good times and bad times. But something went terribly wrong somewhere in the modern era and we are all in a mess today," Binodini Devi said.
"Different communities must make a joint pledge not to allow anybody or any force to separate us," she added.
"We have been made scapegoats for our tolerance ... all along we have been taken for a ride, only to be kicked out when not needed," remarked Thiyam.
PTI
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