Traversing Down Memory Lane: My Years with MSAD
- Part 3 -

Homen Thangjam *

The first significant protest cum public meeting demanded the repeal of AFSPA on International Human Rights Day, 1995 (10th December). It was jointly organised by the (AIMSF) All India Manipur Students' Federation, NSUD (Naga Students' Union of Delhi) and MSAD. Tamo Babloo and Tamo Kokpi (then pursuing MA History at Delhi University) were the main organisers who had travelled across India mobilising for the event. It was one of the biggest ever protest cum demonstration rallies in Delhi.

Also, perhaps the first and last time we worked with NSUD. Tamo Kokpi recollected:
"An effort was made to form a pan-India students' federation. A series of talks were held in New Delhi and Manipur University. It was decided to form the All India Manipur Students' Federation with Manipur University Students' Union looking after Eastern India, Chongtham Ngogo (a student of law in Pune) as regional-in-charge of Western India. I was the regional- in-charge of North India. Representatives of various Manipur students' bodies from all over the country converged in New Delhi. We decided to hold a rally demanding repeal of AFSPA".

A mass rally was taken out, and a public meeting was held at Jantar Mantar. Manipuri students from various parts of India participated in the event. Progressive organisations based in Delhi also attended. The second protest rally was against the 1995 RMC massacre in January. On 7th January 1995, CRPF personnel deployed at the then RMC, now re-christened as RIMS, shot dead nine persons on the campus after underground cadres attacked them. The victims included auto drivers and students of the medical college.

L-R (facing): Sobita & Pravabati leading the RMC massacre protest march. Yours truly in baseball jacket

I remember travelling around Delhi with Tamo Babloo and others mobilising students to participate in the rally. Manipuri students turned up in huge numbers. It was the first time we ever tasted the power of water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets. Delhi police lathi-charged and maimed several participants. The students who delivered speeches on AFSPA and human rights violations at the Jantar Mantar (including myself) as a part of the public meeting were tailed by the intelligence personnel. This happened until I joined (JNU).

The third demonstration rally we organised in Delhi was in March 1995 regarding Meitei Mayek (script). Although Manipuri language had been included in the 8th Schedule by 1992, it was not printed in the Indian currency notes. Moreover, there had been no amendment to the Manipur Language Act 1979, which instructed Bengali script to be the official script of Manipuri. We demanded clarification on the confusion surrounding the script of the Manipuri language. We sought the intervention of the Government of India to develop the Manipuri language written in its original script. And finally, we urged to print Manipuri in Meitei Mayek on the Indian currency notes. The issue remains unresolved till today.

We extended solidarity to Imas representing the All Meitei and Meetei Leipak Kangla Thougal Lup, Manipur, who fasted at Jantar Mantar in February 1994. The demand was the removal of AFSPA from Manipur and the restoration of Kangla to the people of Manipur. I remember meeting (L) Shri Rishang Keishing, the then Chief Minister of Manipur, with Nicky on behalf of the Lup. On his assurance, the fast ended on the third day.

Assam Rifles was removed from Kangla only in 2005 after 12 Imas disrobed in front of the fort on 15th July, protesting against the brutal killing of Thangjam Manorama.

L-R (facing): Charuchandra, A. Roshan, Homen, Chandra, Dilip, Imokanta, delegate from Manipur, Nicky & Shantikumar

Under collective leadership, we undertook numerous activities which MSAD could not translate into action in the last two years. Our only regret is that we could not bring out a souvenir. First of all, to keep the tradition of not-asking-money from students alive, we undertook charity shows of popular Hindi films in Manipur.

One was at Shankar Talkies, Lamphel in 1994 (Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit starrer Hum Aapke Hain Koun) and the other at Asha Cinema, Imphal in 1995 (Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starrer Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge). Roshan, Nicky, Charu, Imokanta and Balaram led the charity shows. By the way, the ban on Hindi movies has not come into force at that time.

Moreover, we went for donation drives at Manipur Bhawan from the visiting VIPs. Having class, college and university toppers such as Charu, Balaram and Imokanta amidst us was helpful in bargaining the amount of money with the donors. We could convince them that the office-bearers of MSAD were equally studious and brilliant students!

Main activities included organising the 1st MSAD State Level Quiz Competition in 1994 at CC Higher Secondary School, Imphal, sponsored by "Sanathong", a weekly Manipuri magazine. The 2nd MSAD State Level Quiz Competition cum Essay Writing Competition was held at Imphal College in 1995. While I took responsibility for the first event, Roshan and Mahesh took care of the latter.

We also organised an annual sports meet in October 1994, including a Delhi Level Football Tournament at the Ramjas College Ground. Like in previous years, the anti-drug campaign was undertaken. Even school students (Manipuri) were not spared.

Nicky dressed to kill

The annual Thabal Chongba of 1995 was religiously held on 11th March at the South Avenue Ground. It was different from the past. Under Nicky's initiative, an entry fee was collected (free for ladies). Mahesh, Johny and (L) Alberto were the leading musicians like the previous year. Nicky's spectacular red neck-tie and navy-blue suit worn during the event became the talk of the town.

In typical MSAD tradition, we set up help desks for admission seekers. We warned aspirants to be mindful of sharks who charge students in the name of giving admissions. Further, we made prospectus of Delhi colleges and JMI available at Imphal through our network.

The Fresher's Meet held at the Dining Hall of Manipur Bhawan on 18th October 1995 was remarkable. It was also a talent show in which freshers presented monologues and mimicries, recited poetries, cracked jokes and displayed their musical talents.

Imokanta welcoming the freshers

At the Martyrs Day Observation of 13th August 1995 held at Manipur Bhawan, New Delhi, former Lok Sabha MP Shri Meijinlung Kamson was the Chief Guest. Various other dignitaries also attended the function. MSAD presented a group song (taught by Tamo Munindro and Tamo Dhiren).

The lyrics go like this:
Hougat-lo Chatkhat-lo Leibak Machasha
(Arise march forward sons and daughters of the land)
Ipa Lamdam, Ipu Lamdam,
(Fatherland, Ancestral Land)
Ima Lamdam, Iben Lamdam
(Motherland, Ancestral land)
Eikhoina Ngak-kani, Eikhoina Kan-gani.
(We will protect, we will save)

Hougat-lo Chatkhat-lo Leibak Machasha
L-R (facing): Mahesh, Ranjan, Dhiren, Michael, Munindro, Roshan, Charuchandra

The election for the 1995-96 MSAD was more extensive than previous exercises. Sons of two prominent politicians of Manipur, such as Kshetrimayum Kenedy from Kaching, son of (L) Ksh. Irabot Singh, and Irengbam Khaba of St. Stephen College from Singjamei, son of (L) I. Tompok Singh led the contesting camps.

Table 7: MSAD Office-bearers, 1995-96

Sl. No.	Name	Designation	Remarks/Present Occupation
1.	Kshetrimayum Kenedy	President	Resigned; contesting the 12th Manipur Assembly Election
2.	Paotinthang Lupheng	Vice President	Resigned; President ATSUM
3.	Bipin Yumnam	General Secretary	Businessman
4.	Jyoti Khumanthem	Joint Secretary	Assistant Professor, MB College
5.	RK Aruna Devi	Culture Secretary	Teacher based in Hyderabad
6.	Maj. Ksh. Maheshwor	Finance Secretary	Resigned; Indian Army
7.	(L) Abdul Gaffar	Publicity Secretary	Natural death

By this time, yours truly had joined JNU for MA in Political Science. Nicky had headed to Pune to study law, and Roshan had joined JMI to pursue MA Sociology. Kennedy became my classmate. One notable activity MSAD undertook was organising a protest cum public meeting at Jantar Mantar in March 1996 over the killing of one Thokchom Netaji. This young student of Johnstone High School, Imphal was killed by the Rapid Action Police Force on 28th February 1996. Shortly after the event, Kennedy resigned from MSAD. According to him, "My voluntary resignation at the fag-end of my tenure had a reason. Mutual distrust had cropped up in MSAD primarily on account of social positions and ideological differences".

After Kennedy voluntarily resigned from MSAD, I learned that MSAD entered into another phase of disarray. I remembered what Prof. Angom Dilipkumar remarked, "The fate of MSAD depended on the office bearers. We decided the issues, set the agenda and carried out the activities. All it demanded was unity and a resolute stand". I believe MSAD then had come full circle, awaiting a new beginning once more.

My last official duty for MSAD was conducting the annual election as the Chairperson of the Election Commission. I thank Oja Malem Ningthouja for reaching out to me and entrusting me with the task of leading the mega polls in 2004. It was held at three polling stations - JNU, JMI and DU North Campus. Seram Rojesh and his colleagues won that election. That was during my PhD days in JNU.

The present generation of MSAD is lucky in so many ways. They are blessed with digital technology - a convenient tool for mobilisation and archiving. For in our days, record maintenance was a cumbersome task.

Without a permanent office it was even more difficult. While shifting rooms, old books and files were often discarded. Then, there were occasions when the former office-bearers refused to hand over files to the next ones. And on top of that overzealous Delhi Police occasionally confiscated MSAD files on mere suspicion, which were never returned. So without a concrete referential point to hinge on it is very difficult ascertain precise dates of events. Or for that matter the complete list of office bearers with whom we had worked together ages ago.

Another difficulty of our time was accessing the media either in Delhi or back home. Communication with local media was tedious and time-consuming. The national media shied away from covering our events or publishing press releases. According to them, it did not constitute news of "national importance".

I am glad to learn that MSAD has an office in a fixed place, and it is making the best use of digital technology and the media.

In Lieu of Conclusion

Reminiscing about my days with MSAD shall be incomplete without mentioning our forays into "personal" problems of students, cases involving harassment by landlords and group fights among the students. These activities kept us occupied more than the calendar events. Over and above, this narration shall be incomplete without expressing my gratitude to my elders and colleagues.

Seniors fondly remember former MPs and politicians who provided shelter in their quarters to students who could not be accommodated in the lone Manipur Bhawan. They are (L) Ningthoukhongjam Tombi Singh (MP: 5th, 6th, 8th & 9th Lok Sabha) and (L) S. Madhumangol Sharma (stayed in Delhi from 1986 to 1995). I wish to add former MP Shri Meijinlung Kamson (MP, Lok Sabha: 1984-96), who readily mingled with us, provided the South Avenue Ground for Thabal Chongba and the MP Canteen for Fresher's Meet and other functions. Often he bore the expenses, too. These leaders, I believe, were the last that fostered the now disappearing ties of Manipuriness in a distant land.

I also wish to remember Tamo Dhiren, Tamo Babloo, Tamo Kokpi, Eyambung Tommna, Tamo Munindro, Tamo Phillip, Tamo Kishan and Dr Syed Ahmed (faculty of History, DM College) for their tireless support and guidance as advisors for a better MSAD. On a personal note, I wish to show my heartfelt gratitude to my wife, who had always stood by me since my college days and took an active part in the MSAD activities.

Finally, I wish to salute Tamo Ronel for his leadership, dedication and sacrifice. A soft-spoken Marxist, who never succumbed to 'influences', his contribution was instrumental in reviving MSAD. I am also happy that I was part of a team that rejuvenated the dying organisation.

It was fun working with my team that focused on exercising our free will and making MSAD autonomous. In writing this brief memoir, we all walked down the memory lane together, pitching in information, sharing anecdotes and old photographs. However, the best part was speaking to seniors to collect information. They observed, "Being a part of MSAD has made us better human beings". How true it is. We believed in "study and struggle". And it has taken us far in our lives.

Concluded .....

(Written on 18th February 2022, on the occasion of 50 Years of MSAD, the Golden Jubilee Celebration

The author thanks Bobo Khuraijam, film maker (national awardee), for editing this article )

---

* Homen Thangjam wrote this article in February 2022 for MSAD Golden Jubilee Celebration
The writer is an Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science at Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Makhan village
He can be reached at homenth(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was webcasted on September 19 2022.

---