The appointment of a historian from Manipur as an assistant professor at Jamia Millia Islamia has sparked controversy over a case in which he was allegedly involved as a scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) a few years ago. A dispute related to an article authored by a faculty member was already closed by a Manipur court in 2021.
Dr. Chingiz Khan has been appointed as an Assistant Professor at the Center for Comparative Religions and Civilizations (CCRC) at Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, in Janaury this year.
His appointment sparked controversy with many questioning him as “accused of sedition”. Dr. Khan, however, dismissed the allegations, calling them baseless and misleading.
What is the controversy?
The controversy concerns a seditious case filed against Dr. Chingiz Khan in relation to an allegedly controversial article from 2020. Dr Khan co-authored an article titled “Pangals a victim of manufactured uncertainty” published by an English newspaper on 7 April 2019.
A Manipuri-language translation of this article was published in a local Manipuri newspaper, sparking controversy. The translation was significantly altered to make a completely different argument. An article in a local newspaper alerted the local authorities. Dr. Khan was detained on April 8, sparking widespread criticism.
The Pangals, also known as Meitei Pangals or Manipuri Muslims, are an ethnic minority Muslim community based primarily in Manipur. They constitute roughly 8.4% to 9% of the state’s population and are distinguished by being Manipuri-speaking Muslims who have integrated with the local Meitei culture while retaining their Islamic faith.
The case was later referred to the Imphal West District and Sessions Court, where it was disposed of in March 2021. A local newspaper, which had carried a distorted version of the article, later published an explanation for the error. Dr. Khan said the translators published the material without informing the original authors.
The case was later referred to the Imphal West District and Sessions Court, where it was disposed of in March 2021. A local newspaper, which had carried a distorted version of the article, later published an explanation for the error. Dr. Khan said the translators published the material without informing the original authors.
“I have not given permission to translate the Meitei, nor have I approved the specific subtitle or interpretations contained therein. I do not endorse this translated version, nor do I endorse its content or style,” said Dr. Khan.
LiveMint has reached out to the university for comment on the story. It will be updated when you share the answer.
Who is Dr. Chingiz Khan?
Before his appointment as faculty member at Jamia Millia Islamia Dr. Khan taught at Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi and served as Research Assistant in the Manuscripts Section of the Prime Minister’s Museum and Library (PMML), Teen Murti House, New Delhi.
I have not granted permission to translate Meitei, nor have I approved the specific caption or interpretations contained therein.
Dr. Khan specializes in the medieval and early modern history of northeastern India, with major contributions to its historiography, genealogical history, military warfare, and technology.
Dr. Khan specializes in the medieval and early modern history of northeastern India, with major contributions to its historiography, genealogical history, military warfare, and technology.
Doctoral thesis of Dr. Khana focused on Mughal warfare and technology in Northeast India (17th–19th centuries). He is an expert reviewer of a textbook on the history of the government of Manipur, has more than 48 publications, including 22 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as EPW and Contemporary South Asia (Routledge, 2025).
