Manipur: FIR Against Tapta for Genocide Song; Says 'Focusing on New Composition'

The Meitei singer released a controversial song on 7 July which, among other things, called for Kukis to be killed.

Amidst the ethnic violence that engulfed the state since 3 May, Tapta, an extremely popular Meitei singer based in Imphal, released a song last week on Friday, 7 July, that, among other things, says that "Meiteis will never have peace until ever Kuki is killed."

(Namita Chauhan/The Quint)

An FIR has been filed against popular Meitei singer Tapta at Churachandpur Police Station, Manipur, for his genocidal song calling for Kukis to be killed.

The FIR was filed on 13 July by the Zomi Students’ Federation, under the following sections of the IPC:

• 153A and 153B (promoting enmity)

• 500 (defamation)

• 505 (incitement)

He has also been booked under section 3 (1) (u) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, that is, intent to cause insult or injury to any member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe. 

A copy of the FIR. 

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

The Quint called Tapta for his reaction with respect to the FIR. "I don't care. I am not going to do anything about it. I am focusing on composing my new song on the Kukis. It will be out soon."

Amidst the ethnic violence that has engulfed the state since 3 May, Imphal-based Jayenta Loukrakpam, known by his stage name Tapta, released a controversial song on 7 July. Among other things, the song says "Meiteis will never have peace until every Kuki is killed."

There are other lines as well from the song that could qualify as hate speech or even incitement to genocide. Here are some of the lines.

(Illustration: Chetan Bhakuni/The Quint)

The Quint spoke to Tapta about his song, in a telephone conversation. Here is what he had to say in his defence.