In the Spotlight: BJP's Double Engine in Manipur
At the beginning of May, India's pride, boxing star Mary Kom, expressed her concern, saying, "My state Manipur is burning! The situation is very bad. Please extend your help, both the government and the citizens of the country!" However, her earnest appeal fell on deaf ears, with neither the people nor the central or state government responding adequately. As a result, Manipur continued to burn, and the months of May, June, and July witnessed unrest.
Yes, there is an intense struggle going on in Manipur. The fire is burning, affecting religious places, educational centers, and business centers. The streets are occupied by police and military, but despite that, violence and protests persist. The BJP's double engine in both the state and central government seems incapable of resolving the situation, and the citizens remain silent.
Manipur is one of the most unique mountainous states in Northeast India. It is like a sub-circle in the middle of the region, covering only 10% of its area, yet housing approximately 60% of its population. The majority of the population consists of the Meitei, one of the ethnic groups, who predominantly reside in the valley regions. The other communities, such as the Naga and Kuki, mainly inhabit the surrounding hilly and forested areas, making up the rest of the population.
Manipur has a total of 35 communities, with the Meitei being the largest, comprising nearly 53% of the population. They reside in the valley areas, while the other communities live in the hill districts, which are divided into six small hill districts and the larger valley districts. The Naga and Kuki, along with other recognized tribes, are currently fighting a legal battle in the Manipur High Court. Since 2014, they have been demanding inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribes, which they were recognized as before Manipur's independence. After Manipur merged with India, this recognition was taken away, leading to their deprivation of various benefits related to land, culture, language, and job opportunities.
The struggle for power has deeply affected the Meitei and other tribes. The Manipur High Court directed the state government to provide information about the state's situation within four weeks. This has escalated the tension for the other tribes, as they fear that if the Meitei's inclusion as a Scheduled Tribe becomes a reality, they will be further marginalized. The Meitei community has also gained significant political representation in the state legislative assembly, as most of their settlements are in the valley areas. Moreover, Meitei, being predominantly Hindu, enjoys certain privileges concerning language, culture, and job opportunities that other marginalized tribes don't have.
The power struggle has led to an increase in death tolls and damages. A viral video showed women from the marginalized tribes walking naked on the streets,sexually assault gangraped lead widespread condemnation against the government's inaction. The Supreme Court has severely warned both the central and state governments. Now, the question arises, will the President issue an intervention to quell the unrest? Speculations are high, and the news of the BJP's double engine government's current state will surely spread across the country.
