Manipuri actor Soma Laishram, who recently faced a ban on acting in films and attending public events following her participation in a beauty pageant, has vehemently defended herself, emphasizing that she has not acted against her state’s interests.
The ban was imposed on Soma Laishram by the civil society group Kangleipak Kanba Lup for her involvement in the event held in Delhi amid the ongoing unrest in Manipur. In response, Laishram expressed her shock and disheartenment over the development.
In a video posted on social media, Laishram stated, “I strongly oppose this directive; as an artist and a social influencer, I have every right to speak up wherever I want to and whenever it is needed… I have not done anything against my state and my motherland.” Laishram, known for her roles in over 100 Manipuri films, further explained that her participation in the Northeast festival as a show stopper was aimed at supporting Manipur and raising awareness about the underlying issues behind the violence.
The ban imposed on Soma Laishram has garnered widespread condemnation from the public and various film associations. A top functionary of the Film Forum Manipur emphasized that such interference is unfortunate and uncalled for.
The ongoing violence in Manipur, which erupted on May 3 during a ‘Tribal Solidarity March,’ has resulted in more than 175 fatalities and numerous injuries. The march was organized in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Manipur’s population consists of Meiteis, accounting for about 53%, residing mainly in the Imphal Valley, and tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, constituting 40%, residing primarily in the hill districts.
Sources By Agencies
