Good initiative; but Irabot may still shed tears in heaven
- Imphal Times Editorial :: October 01 2018 -

The announcement to observe the Birth Anniversary of Hijam Irabot as state function by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh from today is a sign of good gesture which proves that Lamyanba Hijam Irabot is still an indomitable leader of the state.

Notwithstanding with the fact that Hijam Irabot is a leftist ideologue leader who had sacrificed his life for the cause of the deprived section of the people of the state, N. Biren Singh government’s recognition to the leader despite that BJP is a Right wing political force, perhaps showed that – Right or left , no matter all respect the sincerity, sacrifices and essence pf patriotism of Hijam Irabot.

His government’s promises to erect a statue of the leader at Irabot Square near the state Assembly is worth appreciating.

Today, would have been the happiest moment of the people if only the present government acts by thinking like Hijam Irabot.

Well a classless society with the proletariat on the forefront was the dreamt of our great Leader Hijam Irabot.

For the cause the leader had waged a political war against the British colonial rule and then later against feudalistic nature of the Majarajah and the ruling capitalist class of Manipur.

What makes different from this pioneer leader and the so call leaders of our days is that he was not lured by the prospect of the royal prerogatives and official facilities including the prestigious post of membership to the Sardar Panchayat Court that was being offered to him for having married princess Khomdonsana.

To Hijam Irabot, the war was not only against the external force which had colonized the nation state but it was rather against all forms of oppression and suppression committed under the feudalistic character of the system.

He dreamt of a nation where every citizen has the right to live with dignity. His work for promotion of the culture, sports, literature and journalism is a reflection of his love towards this erstwhile nation state.

All his life the great leader had work for the cause of the people sacrificing every comfort of live.

To convert his dreamt into reality he spearheaded various political movement starting from the grass hood level.

He was the man behind the formation of students’ federation, peasant union, women’s organization and progressive party.

For his active role to bring about a reformed state, he was sent to prison many a times during the British colonial era.

Later after the British left the nation state, Hijam Irabot was once again declared as a terrorist as his activities continued to be a threat to the Maharajah himself as well as the ruling capitalist.

In recognition to the activities of this all time leader, the state is celebrating his Birth Anniversary across the state.

Earlier it was the Communist Party of India (CPI) which took main initiative in organizing the day to commemorate the leader’s birthday but today its glad that the state government is observing as a state function.

But one think we in the Imphal Times would like to remind is that, would the person who had sacrifices every comfort of life would be happy to see us celebrating the day without fulfilling any of his dream.

Will our leader be happy if he sees the conditions of the peasant community or the working class people of this state?

Children of the peasants and middle class family who could not afford to send their children outside the state for higher studies are on agitation. Armed police are turning the Highest temple of learning – the Manipur University as War field.

This is the state of our state. There is no doubt that our great leader Hijam Irabot would certainly shed tears in heaven seeing the reality.