Supreme Court Judge Justice N. Kotiswar Singh urged the people of Manipur to embrace self-reflection, reject blame politics and work together to restore peace and unity.
Imphal, June 13: Supreme Court Judge Justice N. Kotiswar Singh on Saturday urged the people of Manipur to undertake honest self-reflection and work collectively towards rebuilding trust and harmony, saying lasting peace and progress can only come from within society rather than through blame directed at governments.
He was speaking as the Chief Guest at the inaugural edition of the High Court of Manipur Distinguished Lecture Series 2026, held at the High Court Auditorium in Mantripukhri.
Addressing members of the legal fraternity, students and officials, Justice Kotiswar Singh said Manipur is passing through a difficult phase and appealed to people in both the hills and the valley to examine the factors that have contributed to the present situation.
He observed that the developments in Manipur are not widely understood outside the state, noting that most people elsewhere in the country are only aware of reports of violence and conflict. Referring to the state's long history of coexistence among different communities, he expressed concern that society now appears increasingly divided along separate lines.
According to the Supreme Court judge, the responsibility of repairing these divisions rests primarily with the people of Manipur themselves. He stressed the need for collective introspection and said the time had come for society to address its own shortcomings and work towards reconciliation.
Justice Kotiswar Singh also cautioned against the tendency to place all responsibility on either the Central Government or the State Government. While acknowledging the challenges facing Manipur, he said meaningful change would require active participation and commitment from citizens.
During his address, he raised concerns over the impact of corruption on institutions and public life. He remarked that corruption, coupled with years of violence and instability, has weakened various institutions and affected the functioning of society.
Despite these challenges, he highlighted the resilience and achievements of the people of Manipur. He pointed out that the state continues to produce outstanding sportspersons who have brought recognition to India at national and international levels, often despite limited infrastructure and resources. He urged citizens to apply the same determination and perseverance to restoring peace and social harmony.
Justice Kotiswar Singh also spoke about the development of legal education and judicial institutions in the state. He expressed hope that Manipur would soon have a National Law University and emphasised the importance of ensuring that access to justice reaches even the most remote areas. He further called for closer cooperation among lawyers from both the hill and valley regions.
The programme was presided over by Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court, Justice M. Sundar. In his welcome address, Justice Sundar described the occasion as a significant moment for the legal community of the state and said Justice Kotiswar Singh's elevation from Manipur to the Supreme Court would inspire aspiring lawyers, judicial officers and law students.
Several prominent members of the legal fraternity attended the event, including Justice A. Bimol Singh, Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma, former judge and Manipur Judicial Academy Director Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu, Advocate General Lenin Singh Hijam, Bar Council Chairman S. Brajabihari Singh, High Court Bar Association President N. Kumarjit Singh, All Manipur Bar Association President Ch. Bimolchandra Singh and Deputy Solicitor General Kh. Samarjit Singh.
During an interactive session, Justice Kotiswar Singh shared insights from his judicial experience while discussing contemporary issues such as bail jurisprudence, alternative dispute resolution, artificial intelligence in the judiciary and professional ethics in the digital age.
