Imphal, September 24:
Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has been heavily trolled on social media after he posted a congratulatory message to senior Indian Foreign Service officer Gloria Gangte, recently appointed as India’s next Ambassador to Norway.
In his Facebook post, Singh praised Gangte, a 2000-batch IFS officer who had earlier served as India’s High Commissioner to Malta, and wished her success in her new diplomatic role.
However, the congratulatory note sparked a storm of criticism, with many netizens accusing the Chief Minister of insincerity and double standards. Critics argued that while Singh publicly lauded a Kuki officer, he had, during the ethnic violence of 2023, vilified the Kuki community and labeled them in derogatory terms.
One of the strongest reactions read: “We don’t need your validation and you don’t have to join our success. Please take down your post. You should be ashamed posting the success of people whom you called ‘foreigners.’ You should use customed words such as foreigners, illegal immigrations, poppy, NRC, forests. These words are well customed into your blood. Find news where you can use these words more effectively. It’s invented for you alone.”
Another critic mocked Singh’s gesture, writing, “Thank you for thanking your neighbour state citizen, what a kind CM,” while others bluntly told him to “stay away from the Kuki people’s success.”
Some accused him of deliberate hypocrisy, noting that while he appeared magnanimous in congratulating Gangte, his tenure as Chief Minister saw the escalation of the Meitei–Kuki conflict that left hundreds dead and thousands displaced.
One comment read, “Biren Singh’s congratulatory words to a Kuki officer may look magnanimous on the surface, but they stand in complete contradiction to the reality of Manipur. Under his watch, violence escalated, lives were lost, and thousands displaced.”
Another stated, “From when did you start becoming neutral? She is also Kuki—the same community upon which you launched a genocide campaign in 2023 along with your Arambai Tenggol. By the way, you are no longer Chief Minister, and your congratulatory messages mean nothing more than the wishes of a common man.”
Some called his message fake and performative, with one remarking, “He will compliment her in social media but deep down he really is angry. What a fake compliment. All the while trying to wipe us out tribals.”
Others mocked him for leaving out his usual references to “narco-terrorists” and told him to focus on his “Meitei populace” instead of claiming credit for Kuki achievements. Tthe overwhelming flood of hostile responses underscored the fragile political climate in Manipur.
