Manipur CM invokes Hijam Irawat's unity vision on 130th birth anniversary
Synopsis
With Manipur still navigating ethnic fault lines, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh's invocation of Jana Neta Hijam Irawat's vision of harmony among 36 communities on the freedom fighter's 130th birth anniversary is more than ceremonial — it is a pointed appeal to a shared historical identity at a moment the state badly needs one.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh paid tribute to Jana Neta Hijam Irawat on his 130th birth anniversary on 30 September 2026 .
The state-level observance was held at Irawat Square, Imphal , and attended by ministers, MLAs, and senior officials.
The CM invoked Irawat's vision of harmony among Manipur's 36 communities across hills and valley.
Irawat ( 1896–1951 ), revered as Lamyanba , was a freedom fighter, social reformer, and journalist who published the journal Meitei Chanu in 1922 .
The CM called upon government employees, civil society, and students to uphold Irawat's ideals of unity, social justice, and collective progress.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, paid solemn tribute to Jana Neta Hijam Irawat on his 130th birth anniversary, invoking the freedom fighter's enduring vision of harmony and peaceful coexistence among the state's 36 communities spread across its hills and valley. Speaking at the State-level observance of Jana Neta Hijam Irawat Day, 2026, held at Irawat Square in Imphal, the Chief Minister called upon government employees, civil society organisations, and students to carry forward Irawat's spirit of sacrifice, service, and social responsibility.
Key Remarks by the Chief Minister
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh said that Irawat's ideals of unity, social justice, and collective progress must continue to guide the people of Manipur. He described Irawat as one of the most prominent figures in the state's history — a leader who dedicated his life to social and political transformation. The Chief Minister noted that Irawat's life and ideals 'continue to hold deep relevance for Manipur,' given the state's ongoing challenges around community cohesion.
Notably, the tribute comes at a time when Manipur has faced prolonged ethnic tensions, lending particular weight to the invocation of a leader historically associated with cross-community solidarity.
Irawat's Multifaceted Legacy
Jana Neta Hijam Irawat (1896–1951), widely revered by the honorific Lamyanba, was a social reformer, political leader, freedom fighter, journalist, and literary figure. He championed the rights of the poor, peasants, and workers, and pursued equality and social justice throughout his life. In 1922, he published Meitei Chanu, a journal aimed at spreading awareness about Manipuri society and its issues — an early instance of using journalism as a tool for social mobilisation.
The Chief Minister highlighted that despite marrying into the royal family and the attendant privileges, Irawat chose to renounce those comforts and devote himself entirely to the cause of the people — travelling across regions, mobilising communities, and working for political and social change.
Dignitaries at the Observance
The state-level ceremony was attended by Art and Culture and Tourism Minister Khurajam Loken Singh, several Members of the Legislative Assembly including Khumukcham Joykisan Singh, Sapam Kunjakeswor Singh, Karam Shyam, Thongam Shanti Singh, Sanasam Premchandra Singh, Thokchom Radheshyam Singh, Mayanglambam Rameshwar Singh, Dr Usham Deben Singh, Thangjam Arunkumar, and Sorokhaibam Rajen Singh. Former Union Minister Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh and former MP Dr Lorho S. Pfoze were also present, along with Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakoor, senior government officers, police personnel, and students.
Why the Anniversary Resonates Today
Irawat's legacy spans literature, journalism, agrarian activism, and anti-colonial resistance — a breadth that makes him a unifying symbol across Manipur's diverse communities. His relentless efforts in promoting education and uplifting the marginalised remain a touchstone for the state's political discourse. This is the 130th anniversary of his birth, and the state government's decision to hold a formal observance underscores the continued institutional importance accorded to his memory.
Going forward, the Chief Minister's appeal to civil society and students to embody Irawat's values signals an intent to draw on historical solidarity as a framework for addressing present-day communal strains in the state.
Point of View
Not just a calendar ritual. Yet the gap between commemorative rhetoric and ground-level reconciliation in Manipur remains wide — the Chief Minister's appeal to Irawat's legacy carries weight only if it is accompanied by concrete steps toward inter-community dialogue. Anniversaries are easy; the harder question is whether the state government is prepared to institutionalise the pluralism it celebrates in marble and speeches.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Jana Neta Hijam Irawat?
Jana Neta Hijam Irawat (1896–1951), also known by the honorific Lamyanba, was a prominent Manipuri social reformer, freedom fighter, political leader, and journalist who championed the rights of the poor, peasants, and workers. He renounced royal privileges to dedicate his life to social and political change, and in 1922 founded the journal Meitei Chanu to raise awareness about Manipuri society.
What was the occasion of the 2026 Irawat Day observance?
The observance marked the 130th birth anniversary of Jana Neta Hijam Irawat, held on 30 September 2026 at Irawat Square in Imphal as a state-level event. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh presided over the ceremony and paid floral tribute at Irawat's memorial.
What did Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh say at the event?
The Chief Minister said that Irawat's ideals of unity, social justice, and collective progress must continue to guide Manipur's people. He called upon government employees, civil society organisations, and students to carry forward Irawat's spirit of sacrifice, service, and social responsibility.
Why is Irawat's vision of harmony significant for Manipur today?
Manipur is home to 36 diverse communities living across its hills and valley, and has experienced periods of ethnic tension. Irawat's historical advocacy for cross-community solidarity makes his legacy a unifying reference point, and the state government's formal observance underscores its continued institutional relevance.
Who attended the Irawat Day observance in Imphal?
The ceremony was attended by Art and Culture Minister Khurajam Loken Singh, multiple MLAs, former Union Minister Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, former MP Dr Lorho S. Pfoze, Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakoor, senior government officers, police personnel, and students.
