Manipur CM Khemchand Singh: State's 36 communities must all be protected
Synopsis
At a Rashtriya Ekta Diwas event in Imphal, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh publicly warned that community-centric politics cannot bring peace or progress to a state with 36 distinct communities. In a region still scarred by ethnic conflict, the statement is a pointed signal that his administration intends to govern for all — not any single group.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh declared on 31 October 2026 that the state's 36 communities must all receive equal protection from the government.
He warned that community-centric thinking cannot deliver integrity, peace, or economic progress in Manipur.
The remarks were made at Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026 at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Parade Ground, Imphal .
The CM recalled that Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was instituted in 2014 by PM Narendra Modi to honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel .
Nine contingents of Manipur Rifles and Police took part in the March Past, commanded by Pramesh Arambam of the 4th Manipur Rifles Battalion (IRB) .
Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh and several senior officials attended the event.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday, 31 October 2026, called for inclusive governance in the state, asserting that no single community's interests can be placed above those of others in a state that is home to 36 distinct communities. His remarks came during the observance of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026 at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Parade Ground in Imphal.
CM's Call for Unity Over Community Politics
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh appealed directly to the people of Manipur, warning that community-centric thinking cannot deliver integrity, peace, or economic progress. 'Community-centric ideas cannot bring integrity, a peaceful atmosphere or economic progress in the state,' he said, urging residents to look beyond narrow group interests.
The statement carries particular weight in Manipur, a state that has experienced prolonged ethnic tensions and conflict. The Chief Minister's framing of governance as a responsibility toward all 36 communities signals an attempt to position his administration as a neutral arbiter at a sensitive time.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas: Honouring Sardar Patel's Legacy
The occasion was Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day, observed annually on 31 October to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Khemchand Singh highlighted Patel's foundational role in unifying India's princely states after independence and his leadership during movements against British rule, including the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement.
He noted that the observance was first instituted in 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and recalled that on 31 October 2018, Modi had inaugurated the Statue of Unity in Gujarat — the world's tallest statue — in honour of Patel, widely remembered as the 'Iron Man of India'.
Parade and Cultural Programme
As part of the day's proceedings, nine contingents of Manipur Rifles and Police participated in a March Past, commanded by Pramesh Arambam, Commanding Officer of the 4th Manipur Rifles Battalion (IRB). A choreographic presentation titled 'Akhoigi Apunba Saktam (Our Collective Identity)', performed by the Government Dance Academy, was also staged, underscoring the unity theme of the event.
Senior Officials in Attendance
The event drew a significant gathering of state functionaries. Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, several Members of the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Secretary, the Security Advisor, the Director General of Police, and senior administrative and police officials were all present at the parade ground.
With ethnic fault lines still raw in Manipur, the Chief Minister's public invocation of Patel's unifying legacy — and his explicit call to protect all 36 communities equally — will be closely watched as a signal of where his administration intends to steer the state's fraught political landscape in the months ahead.
Point of View
Relief distribution, and access to justice across all affected communities. Words at a parade ground are easy; the test is in the administrative record that follows.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh say at Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026?
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said Manipur is home to 36 distinct communities and the government must protect the interests of all of them equally. He warned that community-centric ideas cannot bring integrity, peace, or economic progress to the state.
Where and when was Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026 observed in Manipur?
The event was held on 31 October 2026 at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Parade Ground in Imphal. It was attended by Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, several MLAs, and senior administrative and police officials.
What is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and when was it started?
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day, is observed on 31 October each year to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It was instituted in 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to honour Patel's role in unifying India's princely states after independence.
What is the Statue of Unity and why was it mentioned?
The Statue of Unity is the world's tallest statue, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018 in Gujarat in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Manipur CM referenced it as a tribute to Patel's legacy of national unity on his birth anniversary.
Who commanded the March Past at the Manipur Rashtriya Ekta Diwas event?
The March Past, which featured nine contingents of Manipur Rifles and Police, was commanded by Pramesh Arambam, Commanding Officer of the 4th Manipur Rifles Battalion (IRB).
