Right to protest and thus need a 'common site' in Manipur

Dr Kamei Aphun *

Protest against Drug Trafficking marching to the Home Minister's Office at Old Secretariat, Imphal :: March 19 2013
Pix - Deepak Oinam

Today all societies look forward to sustainable development, stability and efficient government. Perhaps what makes different is the relationships between the state and society, which usually expressed out in the normal administrative/bureaucratic functioning within the state apparatuses.

The dominant aspect/element of the state has been its legitimate ideology, the logic of economic management and its execution in that given society.

This spirit of legitimizing state is felt by Ralp Miliband when he deals with the 'advanced capitalist societies'. He argued that "more than ever, what men want to achieve, individually or in groups now depends on the state's sanction and support" And therefore men compete and sometime enter into conflicts/violence for state's attention, or for its control though the state may not like it to happen.

This political process favours the state to create a common platform where conflicting interest groups (or pressure groups for that matter) can negotiate and bargain. The Indian democracy legitimizes the right to resist or dissent and therefore expressed the 'right to assemble peacefully' (as the right to protest) amongst the fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution of India.

It is against this backdrop that I intend to bring in the problematic co-relations of 'right to protest' and the 'increasing state repression' in Manipur. Arguably, Manipur can be described as a 'land of protest' today. However, the question worth asking here is - "Are these protests democratic in nature or at least are they justifiable"?

This answer should be dealt in response to state's sensitivity and its reactions to prevailing situations in Manipur. It is usually accused by many that the state will only pay attention when the government feels threatened of losing power.

This attitude of delaying techniques has resulted in shrinking of spaces for dissent and becomes one big reason for people's organizations to block/paralyze the National Highways- the so called 'lifelines' of the state. Ultimately, it is the common people who suffer in all counts.

The sky rocketed price in essential/basic foods and commodities, increase in black economy, rise in corruption, thriving parallel business etc. are all direct manifestations.

It is here that I argued for a 'common site' of protest in the state. This will allow in (crest groups to express their grievances and the media should ensure that the issue is carried out to the larger masses Most importantly, the government should recognize such dissent/protest and should negotiate as soon as possible through democratic means.

The modern state today should be more infrastructural- widening its power through discussion and negotiation and should realize that use of force is only one means to achieve its aims/goals.

Today, Manipur is known for many bad reasons. What we usually don't recognize is the chain of problems that are usually associated with The state recently is hit hard with general intolerances, ethnic tension, conflicts and unemployment. We see the rich getting richer and the poor becoming poorer.

There is also an emergence of a 'new class' (black marketers) that is threatening the society. The lost of traditional ethical values, lack of accommodating approach and respect for elders are fading fast.

Instead the growing suspicion among inter group/community relations, irrational and emotional behaviour are superceding the aged old values which are posing threat to the future growth. If unchecked there will be a situation where everyone will be ashamed of calling Manipur a "Sana Leibak".