by Nilofar Suhrawardy 28 July 2023
Manipur has been embroiled amidst flames of conflict and violence raging here for more than two months. One video has literally shaken the whole world to what the state’s citizens, particularly women are facing. If the video about atrocious and disgusting sexual assault of women in the state had not gone viral, the entire country and the rest of world would certainly not have reacted against this incident in a strongly aggressive manner as it is at present. Think again. Till the 30-second video did not go viral, though Manipur crisis was being given coverage in national and international media, comparatively, the opinion about it was a little milder. Besides, this compels one to deliberate on how many more similar incidents have probably occurred in this state. The question is not simply of ethnic conflict between two communities, Kuki vs. Meitei, but of the level to which warring parties can fall down to, not caring for what does this reflect of them. The worst part is that of women being abused. By resorting to these moves, the alleged criminals and their probable supporters have certainly discarded whatever they donned, including mask as well as image of any respectability they may have had. They and their supporters have been exposed.
Who knows as to how many more women have been abused in this manner as there is no proof of their having gone through this ordeal. The video, reportedly recorded on May 4, has become viral over two months. This raises the question as to what is probably responsible for this delay. Fear or some other reason. Nevertheless, the harsh reality of more women in Manipur gradually expressing their also having been sexually assaulted may be viewed as a naked reflection of pathetic state of law and order as well as perhaps limited authority being exercised by the state government and higher authorities.
So far, more than 160 people have lost their lives and around 60,000 have been displaced. The ongoing conflict is primarily between the state’s majority Meitei community and the minority Kuki tribe. Meitis are largely Hindus and Kukis are mostly Christians. The state government -controlled by Meiteis- has been accused of displaying discrimination against Kukis, which include attempts to categorize them as illegal immigrants and so forth. Though tension has prevailed between them for decades, a decision of Manipur High Court this May led it to assume the present stage. The court ordered the state government to accord tribal status to Meitis, as demanded by them. This would grant Meitis land rights in Manipur and other rights nationally. Though Kukis have a tribal status, Meitis are socially, politically and economically dominant in Manipur. Kukis fear that Meitis would exploit the court’s decision to deprive them of rights over their tribal land. The court’s order also permitted Meitis purchase of land in hills, an area where largely Kukis stay. Not surprisingly, Kukis feared that they would lose their lands, means of earning money and so forth. Kukis opposed the court’s ruling. Differences on this stand escalated their conflict to an aggressively violent stage.
Opinions are being expressed about those in authority having probably deliberately turned a blind eye to atrocious incidents, including sexual assault of women. And they may have continued to do so if the video had not gone viral. Perhaps, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may also not have described the incident as “shameful” and that his heart was filled with “grief and anger,” if the video had no impact. “What happened with daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven,” he said, emphasizing that “law will take its course with all its might.” Whatever “course” the law does take, the fact that this was the first time Modi expressed his stand regarding Manipur has been fairly strongly taken note of by his rival politicians as well as media- national and international. Now, if the video had not gone viral and had there not been a strong reaction, critical of what happened in Manipur, it is possible, he may have still refrained from commenting on it. He voiced his comments on July 20.
Though crisis in Manipur is being quite regularly covered by national and international media, prior to the video having gone viral, the reaction had not raised such a storm in national and international circles. One may say, though opinion about Indian media being subject to political pressure, commercial and other factors certainly has some validity, there is another side to it. Storm raised over the Manipur incident definitely suggests that Indian media or at least several outlets of it still retain some democratic freedom and credibility.
In all probability, if Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government did not hold power in Manipur, party-stalwarts would have aggressively criticized whatever is happening in the state from day one. And this demands attention on another angle. Despite BJP in power there, what has led the situation reach this stage? Manipur is not a huge state. The state covers an area of 22,327 sq. km (8620.5 miles) with a population of around 32 lakhs (3.2 million). India’s population in 142 crore (1420 million). Manipur’s population is not even a percentage of country’s total population. With its own party holding reins of state government, continuance of Manipur crisis and atrocities against women could have probably been checked and not allowed to reach this stage. Here, strategy of deliberately inciting and keeping various communities engaged in conflict may be backed by certain political interests. This can only be reflected upon. In this context, strategy of provoking communal conflict in other parts of the country has been exercised quite often, particularly for electoral reasons.
Regardless of whatever explanations are given, whoever and whatever authorities are held responsible for continuance of Manipur crisis and sexual assault of women, alleged criminals have not simply disgraced themselves. Those who turned a blind eye to these happenings apparently acted as silent participants perhaps due to some pressure. Whatever be reasons, they and their supporters have not just been shamed/disgraced politically, socially and also globally but have also slipped dismally on their own terrain!