Hindi Film Resurfaces In Manipur: HSA’s Bold Stand Against Oppression
Imphal, India, 15th August 2023: After more than twenty years, a Hindi film is set to be shown in Manipur, a region plagued by ethnic conflicts, on Independence Day. The Hmar Students’ Association (HSA), a tribal organization, organized the screening of a Hindi film in Rengkai (Lamka) located in the Churachandpur district on Tuesday evening. However, they have chosen not to reveal the movie’s title.
In a statement issued on Monday, the HSA expressed that the screening serves as an act of resistance against terror groups that have oppressed the tribal communities for decades. They invited others to join them in a commitment to uphold the struggle for freedom and justice.
Highlighting a historical context, the HSA mentioned that the last Hindi film publicly screened in Manipur was ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ in 1998. The statement also conveyed the intention to declare their independence from anti-national terror groups, which had declared a boycott of Independence Day.
The prohibition on screening Hindi films was instituted by the Revolutionary Peoples’ Front (RPF) in September 2000. Authorities recounted that soon after the ban was enacted on September 12, rebels destroyed thousands of Hindi video and audio cassettes and CDs obtained from outlets across the state. While the RPF did not provide a specific reason for the ban in the northeastern state, cable operators speculated that the militant group was concerned about Bollywood’s potential negative influence on the region’s language and culture.
