It is very easy to feel that Manipur is far away and one need not worry. It is a problem in the North East of India, why worry or do natak in Goa.
One can be reminded of the words which are visible on a memorial plaque at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum quotes this speech: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me”.
This quote is attributed to Pastor Martin Niemoeller. It has become a legendary expression of the lesson of the holocaust. Ironically, Niemoeller had delivered anti-semetic sermons. He later opposed Hitler and was sent to a concentration camp.
The flare up in Manipur followed a Manipur High Court ruling on Meitei tribal status, where they asked the State Government to consider the inclusion of the Meiteis in the schedule tribe list, within four weeks. It is another matter that this status is not within the preview of the State but there is a long procedure involving the National Commission of Schedule Tribes (NCST), a constitutional body created under article 338A. So basically after the procedure, even if recommended, it is Parliament who has to approve.
Scheduled tribes status has many benefits —reservations in jobs, especially government ones, ability to use Prevention of Atrocities Act, income tax benefit and buying of land by non tribals is discouraged to prevent tribal land getting into non tribal hands, so this will open doors and is the key issue. The tribals on the other hand can buy land in the valley but if they wish to sell it is a very complex process.
Currently, the majority Meiteis (53%) have 10% of the land and tribals who are 43%, occupy 90% of the land. Tribal lands is off limits to any non tribal. Like any city there will be a growing population especially in the cities, like in Goa there will be restrictions on land use, wetlands, paddy fields and forests for example. Then, like the rest of India development means highways and railways again requiring land. So there is a huge pressure on making land available. The judgement acted as a catalyst for a situation that would have been simmering for a while.
This flash point seems to have been used by some quarters in society to foment trouble. The Government has a major role to play in bringing the situation under control quickly. That has not been the case, the situation is still deteriorating day by day. The internet erupted with the news of the shameful stripping and parading of two women.
This situation finally forced PM Modi, who is very active otherwise on social media, to finally speak about the situation and asked for law and order to be enforced in all States by Chief Ministers. He also pointed to other States viz Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. A classic ‘whataboutry’ response. The CM N Biren Singh, stated that suo moto action was taken and culprits were arrested. He was not being honest, an FIR was filed early May, just four of the eight hundred were arrested in July end after the video went public. He also promised swift and strong punishment, knowing fully well that punishment will take time and at best will be a slap on the wrists, as crucial evidence would be destroyed.
The Union Home Minister visited Manipur to take stock of the situation end May and the Chief Minister did not accompany him on his tour to affected areas, did the CM brief him about the video/FIR or other similar incidents? If yes, why was no action taken and if no, why not? We have citizens in jail for making a joke on sedition charges, yet the State armoury was looted, approximately four thousand guns and a lot of ammunition. An appeal has been made for the return of the weapons and amnesty has been assured. Something is wrong here. Why no amnesty for a joke?
The idea that banning internet whenever there is an issue the Government cannot handle seems to be the first response. In this day and age it disrupts normal life because it paralyses the information highway. It is not only social media that plies on this highway but also daily routine bank transactions, emails for work and family. It is also counter productive, if the video of the parading had come out earlier surely action would have happened faster and PM would have spoken much earlier.
PM Modi refuses to participate in a discussion in Parliament. The ruling party is agreeing to have a discussion led by the home minister and so Parliament where we are supposed to raise such issues is facing a logjam. The opposition should allow the discussion as it will highlight the plight of the Manipuris, blocking a discussion will not do any good. The act of asking for a no confidence is also a cruel joke. Opposition must draw a line when it comes to scoring brownie points against the ruling party.
Goan MLAs felt it was more important to ban the BBC documentary than discuss Manipur. If Indians see the documentary, they are mature enough to decide if they wish to believe it or not, banning it only reinforces the fact that there is something to hide. What can we do? Each voter must text/wa/email and ask his MLA/MP to ask in the assembly/parliament that the violence be stopped and peace be restored. Remember if we do not stand with the people of Manipur today, tomorrow when they come for you & me, there will be no one left to speak for us. Jai Hind!
(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao)
