The Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee (DMCC) organized a protest demonstration titled “Koubru Kashi” and Prayer Meeting for Eputhou Koubru, Eputhou Thangjing, Eputhou Wangpurel, and Eputhou Marjing today at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, from 2 PM to 5 PM.
“Koubru Kashi”, meaning “Let us ascend Mount Koubru”, is not merely a spiritual call—it is a profound assertion of the Meetei community’s unbroken cultural and religious legacy. It is a demand to reclaim our right to access the sacred sites that define our identity, spirituality, and survival.
Mount Koubru is the cradle of Meetei and Yelhoumee (Indigenous people’s) civilization, where the indigenous Yelhoumee people first settled thousands of years ago before moving to the Central Valley of Manipur, said DMCC in a release. It maintained that, however, since 3rd May 2023, Meeteis have been forcibly denied access to Mount Koubru in Kangpokpi District, Mount Thangjing in Churachandpur District, and Eputhou Wangpurel in Chandel District by Kuki armed groups.
These violent actions, backed by tacit Indian state complicity, are a blatant attack on religious freedom and indigenous rights. Urging the Government of India to act upon its own assurances—to restore the rule of law, ensure free movement, and end support to sectarian and militant forces. Giving its stance, the DMCC in the release stated, “Lakhs of Meeteis are ready to lay down their lives to defend Koubru, Thangjing, and Wangpurel. The Meetei people will go to their sacred sites—with or without government protection.”
Additionally, a memorandum was submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealing for restoration of religious access to Mount Koubru for Meetei people and protection of indigenous rights in Manipur.
