Comment Dr Homen Thangjam

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E-Pao! Essay - Foolish path of Bande Matram nationalism

Foolish path of Bande Matram nationalism
Comment on "Status of Manipuris in Delhi"

By: Dr. Homen Thangjam *

The same pain and anguish expressed by Mr. Robindro and subsequently joined by noted fellow Manipuris is not a new one.

If any of you have gone through Karam Manimohan's biography on Comrade Irabot, we find a more radical form of intolerance expressed by the Manipuri medical students studying / residing in the then Assam in the early 20th century.

The letter was addressed to His Highness the then Maharaja of Manipur, in which they expressed their disgust in the way the women (dancers) from Manipur were "giving a bad name" to the Manipuri society or Manipur.

And thus, they exhorted for a "ban on their foreign tours". Special mention was made about the Mayangs in similar tones of Mr. Robindro and co-keepers of tradition, especially the rich Marwaris.

This happened at a time when polygamy was widely practiced in Manipur and wives were treated as "chattels by their own husbands and could be easily pawn-broke / sold" (read Sirkar), although they were the backbone of commerce in our society.

Much water has flowed. Manipur has lost her sovereignty, women (dancers included) braved the British bayonets, and have continued to retain their status at least in the public domain in spite of offbeat remarks targeted against them now and then, so thus the continuity in the patriarchal trait of the Manipuri males.

With all their gallantry of imposing a "codes and strictures" over the women and take pleasure from eave teasing, the likes of Mr. Robindro continues to hide behind women's phaneks in situations of armed conflict.

But what is new under similar circumstances is the response by Eshanou. At least for the first time, in our so-called gender sensitive society, a lady has spoken out her mind aloud. That is to be appreciated and encouraged. It's a positive development.

So far our society has used our women as 'symbols' without attaching any value to meet the patriarch's ends. Dissect what goes on in your own family, or the way you treat your wife, girl friend, sisters, etc. or how the state and non-state forces are trying to co-opt the Meira Paibis, especially to you Sir, Mr. Robindro (whoever you are).

Mr Robindro you seem to lack certain basics about human relationship. Not all relationships are based on arang arak or sex. If then all the poor girls in Manipur or the world would have surely been victims of opulence or simply be sexual sluts. Your fear seems to be a reflection of your psyche. You are in the first place demeaning your own sisters (blood relations included).

Your statements are similar to the ones our hill brethrens nurture against us that all Meiteis are sexual beasts who preys upon their girls. At least they have solid points to point their fingers at us. Do you know how many hill women have been abandoned by the dominant Meiteis?

Or is it simply that belonging in a minority community, one has every right to be insecure? Are you suggesting that a minority has every right to fear a majority culture? If then the change must begin from us.

Let me share with you certain episodes that occurred in Delhi during the June uprising in 2001 and the Manorama incident in 2004. You too must have witnessed it if you were part of the larger Manipuri society in Delhi. But I can't really say if you were ever present given your attitude about certain prevailing phenomena.

According to you, Sharatchandra Khuman, Yanglem and Dr. Jayata, etc., the loosely, skimpily clothed and arang arak pambi Manipuri women are responsible for the bad image of our identity, and at the same time are forgetting their origin/tradition. But do you know that the same were in the forefront braving tear gas shells, water canons, lathis just as you Messrs.

Morally Uprights did.

In the successive processions and public dharnas that rocked Delhi (India overall) was present the girls (in your vocabulary the skimpily clothed and the arang arak pambis). Do you know why they did that?

Then, there were these girls in JNU (just six of them) amidst a meeting organised by a student's organization, which tried to favor a particular community, during the June uprising.

They were clothed in our traditional attire (phanek and accessories), held placards in their hands and stood silently at the rear, protesting the biased public meeting. They came on their own without any persuasion or force. We, the barking males, were moved beyond words.

Let me also add that these girls were never in these clothes at other times, and they mixed around with friends (males included) of their own will. In fact, some of them never used communicate with us. Their silent protest derailed the meeting.

It was such a moment we shall never forget in our lives. We were spontaneously-voicelessly bonded for a greater cause. Subsequently, a public notice was circulated by the JNU Students Union to stop any kinds of Public Meetings/Hearings favoring any community during the tension-ridden days.

My point is do not ever, ever, try to teach anyone what origin, tradition, unity and nationalism is all about. Do not ever take the foolish path of Bande Matram nationalism, which the present Government attempted, or similar policies some radicals are trying back at home.

Broaden your mind, and have some respect about one's privacy and choices. A person in shorts can be as patriotic as a guy in Khudei. Likewise, irrespective what lifestyle a girl chooses to lead, or a dress she wishes to wear, she would always cling dearly to what sociologists term as 'root metaphors'.

Come out of the chauvinistic views you hold so dear to your hearts. You could also do better in your own fields and lives if you heed the opinions of Eshanou, the insights thrown up by Ibungo, and the wise advice given by Mr. Mangang.

Also remember, Internet belongs in the public domain. It is bound by certain ethical norms, be it in terms communicative language or the nature of topic you initiate. It is not a medium to dump your own frustrations and reveal your immaturity.

Hope you would improve in your future writings and the issues discussed at a more informed level.

Dr. Homen Thangjam
Strategic Analysis
Gurgaon

Dr. Homen Thangjam wrote this article to e-pao.net
You can contact this writer at [email protected]
This article was webcasted on September 26, 2006.

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