Concern over negative propaganda against Rani Gaidinliu

GUWAHATI, Feb 16: The Zeliangrong Heraka Youth & Cultural Organization, NEI has expressed seriouis concern over negative propaganda against Rani Gaidinliu. In a statement the organization said, “Rani Gaidinliu, the legendary freedom fighter from North East India and a great Social reformer need no new introduction. As a fitting tribute to her contributions to the tiol cause Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru decorated her with the tittle of the ‘Rani of the gas’.”

“The government of India also conferred on her the ‘Tamra Patra’ award in 1972 and Padma Bhushan in 1982. She was also a recipient of Swami Vivekanda Seva Purushkar 1987, Birsa Munda Purushkar 1996 etc. from various organizations. The Ministry of Culture, Government of India also issued a postal stamp in her honour,” said the organization.

Gaidinliu was not only a freedom fighter but also a great social reformer. By introducing reforms of social evils, she attempted to preserve the traditions and culture of the Zeliangrong gas. But her reform works and attempted to preserve Zeliangrong forefathers’ traditions and culture was look upon by a section of people as anti-church movement. Some even attempted to pain her and her movement as anti-ga activist which are really unfortute, it said.

The outcome of such negative propaganda against Rani Gaidinliu seem to have reflected in the recent closing ceremony of the year long ‘Birth Centery Celebration’ of freedom fighter and social reformer Rani Gaidinliu (1905-2015-16) cum the 37t General Conference of Zeliangrong Heraka Association, North East India held during the 24 to 26 January, 2016 at Old Tesen village, Peren, galand.  The peaceful celebration of the Birth Centery Celebration of legendary freedom fighter and social reformer ended in a very sad note for her followers. During the celebration delegates from 75 Zeliangrong gas villages from Assam, Manipur and galand gathered at Old Tesen Village, galand. Amidst the joyful celebration of the closing ceremony, a news came that a group of local youth med ‘Peace Emissary kith and kin’ which consisted of the young people of the neighbouring Baptist Churches opposed the erection of ‘Monolith’ which was supposed to be erected in commemoration of the celebration.