Jackson Singh breaks silence on raising ‘Manipur’ flag during SAFF Championship victory ceremony

National team Manipuri footballer Jackson Singh created a sensation by wrapping himself in the Meitei flag while collecting his individual medal after India defeated Kuwait in the final of the SAFF Championship on Tuesday night. The flag that Jackson draped is called the Kangleipak ​​flag or Salai Taret flag – a rectangular seven-colored flag representing the seven clan dynasties of the Meitei ethnicity in ancient Manipur.

However, Jackson issued a statement on Wednesday clarifying his position and stance.

“This is my Manipur flag. I just wanted to tell everyone in India and Manipur to live in peace and not fight. I want peace,” he later tweeted. “By celebrating the flag, I didn’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings. My intention was to draw attention to the issues my home state Manipur is facing at the moment. This victory tonight is dedicated to all Indians.

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AIFF statement #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/Ca6P04OYck– Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) 5 July 2023

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The northeastern state has been in turmoil since ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities broke out in May. The Meitei community has been demanding inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list like the Kuki community, whose members mainly live in the hills. Tribal communities have opposed Meitei’s demand.

The large-scale destruction of public and private property, as well as the loss of over 100 lives, prompted the Indian government to deploy the army to restore peace in the region.

Jackson is from the Meitei clan and his behavior was widely criticized and netizens posted photos and images of him hoisting the Salai Taret flag after destroying Kuki churches.

The 22-year-old mid-fielder, who became the first Indian to score in a FIFA World Cup in the 2017 edition of the U17 tournament on home soil, backed down late at night after his symbolic gesture drew criticism from some quarters.

Jackson took to Twitter late last night to defend himself.

“Dear fans, by celebrating in the flag, I didn’t mean to hurt anyone’s sentiments. My intention was to draw attention to the issues my home state of Manipur is currently facing. Tonight’s victory is a tribute to all Indians is devoted.” He tweeted.

Earlier in a conversation with ESPN.In, Jackson urged the people of his state to maintain peace.

Jackson said, “This is my Manipur flag. I want to tell everyone in India and Manipur to live in peace and not fight. I want peace. It’s been 2 months now and the fighting is still going on.” ”

“I don’t want such things to happen again and I just want to draw the attention of the government and other people to get peace.”

“My family is safe, but there are many families who have lost their homes and everything. Yes, it is difficult now…even for me it is difficult to go back home now in this situation… Even I don’t know what is going to happen. I hope things get better soon,” said the talented player.

When contacted, AIFF President Kalyan Choubey refused to comment on the issue. Even AIFF did not comment in its official statement.

It added, “Since Jackson Singh Thounaojam has made his position clear on this, we will not pursue it further.”

FIFA rules state that no team may use any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images on team equipment.

It should be noted that during the Qatar World Cup, FIFA banned the Danish national team from emblazoning the ‘Human Rights for All’ logo on their training jerseys as a symbol of protest against the alleged violation of workers’ rights. The request was refused, who lost their lives. Been working on the stadium construction site for years.

Even England captain Harry Kane was not allowed to wear the ‘One Love’ captain’s arm-band in support of the LGBTQ community. Jackson cannot get approval from the global body because the Meitei flag is not part of the team equipment.