Why are the People in Manipur made to Sacrifice Hindi Films

Guwahati: Manipur government has imposed ban any sort of Hindi movie from being screened in the movie theatres across the state and this ban has deterred the people of the state from enjoying the blockbuster Hindi films in the theatres. However, if the root to the ban of Hindi film screening in theatres is to be traced then the one name that comes out is the insurgency. The sustained insurgency in Manipur has, in a way, compelled the state government to take a harsh action like banning Hindi films which certainly is disheartening for the people.

Although the BJP government candidate and also the Chief Minister of the state N Biren Singh focuses on improving the use of Hindi language in the state that has not helped in thinking about lifting the ban on Hindi films. When the CM was being asked about any chances of the ban being lifted up, his response was negative. He said that there is unlikely to be a change in this matter in the near future. The state CM, on being questioned by a group of journalists, explained that the ban was imposed after the insurgent group, People’s Liberation Army (PLA), had levelled allegations against the government of a fake encounter of a cadre that happened several years ago. This made the government be even strict and “So the PLA had imposed the order on no screening of Hindi movies.”

But this has also been added by the CM that although the ban is on screening new Hindi films in the theatre, people in Manipur are not barred from watching any sport of Hindi film at their homes. “Now every household watches Hindi movies and serials. There is no impact of the ban.”

Whatever is said and thought, the truth is that people in Manipur too are ardent admirers of Hindi films and keeps a strong urge to watch the new releases and their favourite idols on the big screen. A local, on being asked about his feelings on not allowed to watch Hindi films in the theatres, states, “The last Hindi film I remember watching was Kuch Kuch Hota Hain (a 1998 Bollywood drama starring Shahrukh Khan). As far as I know, after that, no Hindi movies were screened in cinemas due to the ban. But now we are still able to watch Hindi movies and listen to the songs on our mobile phones by downloading them through the internet. This is how everyone I know is either watching or listening to them.”

Also read: Manipur News