That different interest groups have been pulling the social and political fabric of Manipur apart is not something new and perhaps the latest surge of movement against Meitei Mayek in Churachandpur district may be seen as another manifestation of the clash of conflicting interests.

The situation may have been different if the move to revive the indigenous script of the Meitei people had gained fruits, say some ten or fifteen years back, but the social and political climate has since changed drastically over the last few years and the movement launched against the Mayek may be seen through the current social and political reality.

The question that beggars an answer at this moment is whether the movement launched against Meitei Mayek in Churachandpur district has anything to do with the entity called Manipur or is plainly just a way of asserting that the tribal people inhabiting this district will not tolerate the imposition of Meitei Mayek on them.

If the latter is the case, then it needs to be reminded to all that there is no question of imposing the Mayek on anyone as tribal students are given the option of the Roman script.

However even if this does not satisfy the people of Churachandpur district, then can it be taken that the move launched against Meitei Mayek is an extension of their stand against Meitei language, which is undoubtedly the lingua franca of the State ?

Or is it about seeing and interpreting the whole issue as the majority imposing their language on the minority tribals of Manipur?

Only the people of Churachandpur and those spearheading the anti-Mayek stir can answer these questions, but these posers are nonetheless important to everyone who have a stake in a place called Manipur.

It is also needs to be explained clearly whether reviving the indigenous script of the Meitei people was pursued with the intention of making the Meitei community well versed in the script handed down by their ancestors or whether it means that spreading the knowledge of the Mayek will be for the good of Manipur and not only for the Meiteis.

The issue is very sensitive and needs to be handled with a certain degree of maturity and respect for each others' aspirations and identities.

The anti-Mayek drive being launched in the Naga inhabited areas cannot be divested from the demand to integrate all Naga inhabited areas under one political unit.

This much is clear.

A similar drive is being launched in Churachandpur district today, but can it be taken in the same vein as the campaign that is being launched in the Naga inhabited areas ?

These are important questions for all the stakeholders.

Whatever the case, all of us need to seriously search our souls and question ourselves whether a particular script should be used or targeted to drive home a point that could lead to more misunderstanding.

A debate or a discussion on whether the Mayek is beneficial to the tribals of Manipur or not may be kickstarted but whatever it is, it should not be at the cost of Manipur and the ties that bind the people of different communities.

If anyone is against Meitei Mayek, that is okay.

But it should not be reduced to an anti-Manipur stand. This is our stand.