The silence of sportspersons on a purported video, showing two Manipuri women being paraded on May 4, is deafening but a young Jeakson Singh has voiced his concern.
Jeakson, an India national team footballer, is one of the few who has tweeted after the disturbing video went public on Tuesday.
“My heart aches for the recent incidents in Manipur. Our vibrant culture has always been rooted in love, harmony, and respect for women and one another. The violence we’ve witnessed goes against the very fabric of who we are as a community,” the 21-year-old midfielder tweeted on Thursday.
“I urge the government and people in power to put an end to this violence and work towards a safer and more compassionate society. Together, we can build a future where every person feels safe, respected, and valued,” he tweeted later.
Jeakson, who is from Manipur, played a key role in Indian football’s recent success and is being seen as one of the talented new-generation players. He is also the only footballer to score in a World Cup — the Under-17 Fifa World Cup India hosted in 2017.
Earlier this month, after India won the SAFF Championship defeating Kuwait in Bangalore, Jeakson had grabbed much of the headlines after he draped himself in a ‘Kangleipak flag’.
Jeakson wrapped the Kangleipak flag around him and celebrated with teammates. He even took the winner’s medal draped in it.
The Kangleipak flag is a multi-coloured (seven) banner that represents the seven clan dynasties of the Meitei ethnicity of Ancient Manipur.
“It’s my Manipur flag. I just wanted to tell everyone in India and Manipur to stay in peace and not fight. I want peace. It’s been 2 months now and still fighting is going on,” Jeakson had said. However, Jeakson later clarified his stand with a tweet.
Earlier on Thursday, former India spinner and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh, in a tweet, demanded capital punishment for all those who were involved in the crime.
