Imphal
While globally celebrated for her environmental activism, 12-year-old Lucypriya Kangujam has become a polarizing figure in her home state of Manipur. Often referred to as the “Greta Thunberg of the East,” her strong communal stances have drawn mixed response, particularly in the wake of the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in May 2023.
Recently, Lucypriya stirred fresh controversy after her social media post in 2024 resurfaced where she demanded the removal of Kuki artefacts from the Manipur State Museum and the demolition of Kuki Inn, a building located near the state secretariat, to make way for a public parking space.
Her post, written in the Meitei language, stated: “State Museum da thamliba Kuki ge pot cheising louthokpiu. Imphal ge Secretariat ta leiriba Kuki Inn office Public Car Parking onthokpiu. There is no meaning now.”
This translates to: “Remove Kuki artefacts from the state museum. Bulldoze Kuki Inn near the secretariat and turn it into a parking lot. There is no meaning now.”
The post which was made on 24 September 2024, quickly gained traction, amassing over 13,000 likes and 2,600 shares, with a flurry of comments reflecting both support and outrage.
This is not the first time Lucypriya has faced allegations of promoting hate speech. She has previously referred to the Kuki community as “illegal immigrants,” “refugees,” and “narco-terrorists,” a stance that has drawn severe backlash. Critics have condemned her remarks as inflammatory, accusing her of deepening ethnic divisions in the already fragile state.
Furthermore, during the peak of Manipur’s ethnic unrest, she launched a crowdfunding initiative to procure military-grade thermal drones and other military equipments allegedly meant for the Arambai Tenggol, a group behind the violence.
While Lucypriya continues to be lauded internationally for her environmental advocacy, many in her home state question her motivations, with some calling for organizations that support her to reconsider their stance. “She is a threat to peace and coexistence”, a user mentioned in the comment.
It may be mentioned that, Kuki Inn was constructed with the support of Government of India in recognition of the contribution Kukis had in India’s independence struggle. It is situated few meters away from the State’s most important office, the Secretariat.
Another social media user commented: “A child, 12 years, spewing venomous hate-speech directed against another with full impunity, and the complete silence of the state law enforcing agencies is dumbfounding”.
Since the Manipur crisis, enmity between the two communities keeps growing. The Meiteis referred the Kukis as “illegal immigrants” in Manipur and termed them as terrorists. On the other hand, the Kukis claimed that Manipur is colonial creation and that Kukis were never a part of Meitei territory in the past. It also charged Meiteis as ungrateful people who does not respect history.
After the violence broke up in 2023, Kukis demands total separation from Manipur. Now, the ball is in the hands of the Government of India to bring an amicable solution. The hatred between the two communities is so deep that the only solution possible is a political autonomy for Kukis and according tribal status for the Meiteis.
