Controversial Speaker Dropped: Seilen Haokip, accused of links to Kuki militant groups, barred from DU Lit Fest after Meitei outrage.
BY PC Bureau
The Meitei community erupted in celebration today following the cancellation of a scheduled talk by Seilen Haokip, spokesperson for the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), at the Delhi University Literature Festival 2025, held at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC). The decision, announced late Saturday, came after intense opposition from Meitei groups, who viewed Haokip’s participation as an affront amid the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur, which has pitted the Meiteis against the Kuki-Zo tribes since May 2023.
The Meitei Heritage Society (@meiteiheritage), a leading voice for the community, spearheaded the campaign against Haokip’s inclusion, and their jubilation was evident.
“Dear Mr. Haokip, the Government of India engages even with terrorists in public/national interest—whether in cases of hijacking or kidnapping. Does that make one fit to take part in civilized discourse? You have a massive propaganda machine; you can do better than this silly justification. Word is, you have been dropped. We thank @dulitfest and @SRCCOfficial for considering concerns of civil society groups and disassociating with groups allegedly involved in atrocities against civilians. We appreciate the organizers for holding a discussion on Manipur, particularly the ongoing crisis. Our best wishes to the festival,” the Meitei Heritage Society stated.
Dear Mr. Haokip, GOI engages even with Terrorists in public/national interest viz hijack, kidnap.
Does that make one fit to take part in civilized discourse?
You have a massive propaganda machine, you can do better than this silly justication. Word is you have been dropped.… pic.twitter.com/gFil1jRPHg
— Meitei Heritage Society (@meiteiheritage) February 22, 2025
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On February 21, 2025, the Meitei Heritage Society condemned the invitation extended to Seilen Haokip, arguing that he represented a Kuki militant group and was widely accused of involvement in the ongoing Manipur crisis, including acts of violence against Meitei civilians. “Allowing a representative… disrespects the victims of the ongoing crisis and sets a dangerous precedent of legitimizing the voice of an organization with a violent background,” their statement read. The backlash galvanized widespread support among Meiteis both in Manipur and in the diaspora.
When the cancellation was confirmed, Meitei social media users flooded platforms with celebratory posts. Anamika (@UndetteredChanu) wrote on X, “Salute the fine ‘Meitei’ gentleman who worked in his personal and professional capacity to give a heads-up to the sponsors of @dulitfest about the blunder they were about to commit by entertaining a Kuki terrorist, Seilen Haokip. Good that the organizers took the right call in dropping the session.”
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Another user, HinduPost (@HinduPost), remarked, “Has better sense prevailed at @dulitfest? Have they removed Seilen Haokip, the spokesperson of the Kuki National Organisation—the political wing of militant group KNA (transnational militants)—from their panel of speakers?”
Singh Meitei Tribe (@TribeMeitei) added, “This is what happens to militant leaders. They are shown the door.Dulitfest had the opportunity to inform Dr. Haokip earlier about the cancellation, but his speech was denied at the last minute, only after he had arrived at the SRCC campus.”
Namthibi Kuki refugee @hatjalhai, I am responsible for the dropping of the baldy Kuki terrorist Seilen Haokip by the festival organizers. Nakhu kullaga khoirammu eignonda. For once tag me when you are using my posts.
Seems you are an active cadre of Kuki National Army (KNA) and… https://t.co/JO5clJJUZM pic.twitter.com/NXz8FsOzUv
— Anamika (@UndeterredChanu) February 23, 2025
The cancellation followed days of tension sparked by the festival’s initial lineup, released earlier this month. Haokip, representing the KNO—an umbrella coalition of 17 Kuki militant groups under a Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Indian government since 2008—was set to speak, triggering immediate backlash. For Meiteis, the KNO symbolizes the violence that has devastated their communities, with allegations of attacks on villages and civilians in a conflict that has claimed over 230 lives and displaced more than 60,000 since last year.
Ningthoujam Priyanka, a student from Imphal now in Delhi, joined a small protest outside SRCC on Friday. “Our homes have been burned, our families torn apart,” she said. “To see this canceled feels like someone finally heard us.” Her sentiment resonated across X, where users celebrated the outcome. One wrote, “Finally, some justice! The KNO’s voice has no place in Delhi University. Thank you to everyone who stood up!” Another exclaimed, “A big win for the Meitei community—our protests worked!”
In contrast, Haokip had defended his right to speak in an NDTV interview on February 21, 2025: “We have been in talks with the government. Why can’t we talk to the public? We live in a democracy, and we are not secessionists.”
He argued that the KNO’s arms were for self-defense and that their peace talks with the government justified his participation. Yet, Meiteis dismissed his claims. “He can say what he wants, but we know the reality on the ground,” said a user on X, reflecting a common sentiment.
Festival organizers and Delhi University officials remained silent on the specifics of the cancellation. However, the Meitei community’s elation was palpable. For them, this was a rare triumph in a conflict that has left deep scars. As Priyanka put it, “We’re not celebrating to hurt anyone—we’re celebrating because, for once, we weren’t ignored.”
