Rights body cites hate speech, legal violations in Mohen’s articles; urges editorial review and balanced representation
Edited by: Kimbawinu Vaiphei, Kukiland Express Desk
Songpi: May 26, 2026
The Kuki Human Rights Council has asked India Today NE to suspend columnist Naorem Mohen, alleging his opinion pieces have repeatedly targeted the Kuki community and worsened ethnic tensions in Manipur. In a letter dated May 25, KHRC said Mohen’s articles “consistently misrepresent our history, distort relationships between Kuki clans and kindred tribes, and advance narratives aimed at dividing our people.”
The letter, signed by General Secretary Tongminthang Kuki and Advisor Haopu Haokip, argued that the writings amount to hate speech amid Manipur’s ongoing humanitarian crisis since May 3, 2023. It said such content “has inflamed hostility and endangered public order” and cited violations of Article 19(2) of the Constitution, along with Sections 153A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code, which bar promotion of enmity and public mischief. KHRC also alleged breaches of the Press Council of India’s norms on communal writings and reporting of ethnic conflicts.
KHRC placed three demands before India Today NE: immediate suspension of Mohen and a halt to further publication of his articles; a comprehensive editorial review of his past pieces for legal and ethical violations with a public clarification; and adoption of a clear policy against communal profiling, including commissioning Kuki writers for balance. “Freedom of expression is vital, but it cannot be used to legitimize communal hatred or to erase the identity and suffering of a community,” the letter said.
The rights body said India Today NE, as a credible platform, has a duty to maintain editorial standards and social responsibility. “Providing a recurring platform to a writer whose work vilifies one ethnic community and seeks to fracture it from within undermines public trust and risks further violence in an already fragile state,” KHRC wrote.
The council said it awaits swift action to uphold constitutional values, legal standards, and responsible journalism. India Today NE had not issued a public response at the time of filing this report.
