The 'Idea of Manipur': Imagination Vs Reality?

Md. Farijuddin Khan *

Different communities of Manipur as seen at 64th Indian Republic Day celebration at Imphal on 26 January 2013 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

Three things provoked me to write something on the 'Idea of Manipur'. They are: essentializing the concept of an "idea of Manipur"; the present turmoil - socio-economic, cultural, political and governance; and necessary measures to counter the present conception. Imagination precedes action and action determines outcome. Thus, it is imperative for us to examine and analyze imagination if we long for a specific outcome. The outcome is explicit – a strong, united, peaceful and prosperous Manipur. The article, or rather a commentary, examines and analyzes the 'Idea of Manipur' in a straightforward way.

Essentializing the 'Idea of Manipur': The Problem Lies Within

A certain form of imagination of an 'Idea of Manipur' exists in Manipur. Needless to say, it is valley centric and I would not be called a 'traitor' if I say it is majoritarian in nature. The idea operates mainly on the imagination of a selected cultural (ethnic) identity and hence discursive. This 'Idea of Manipur' has many problems and caveats.

To me a nation is something where its citizens not only share a common glorious past, culture or roots, but most importantly, where all share willingness to share a common future and shape it collectively while maintaining the memory of glorious past. The idea of Manipur seems to have missed this important qualification. It only imagines of a selected 'collective identity' that praises 'past' glory and heritage without bothering much about the present composition and aspirations.

The danger is in necessarily essentializing the idea of a collective group or community(ies) having certain essential characteristics and features that perfectly matches up to a particular 'unforgettable past'- the past that often underestimates heterogeneity of Manipuri people in a quite simplistic way.

This essentialization of the 'Idea' promises to create rifts among communities and add mistrust among them. In a complex multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious place like Manipur, the idea that defines Manipur from a perspective based on this essentialization is deemed to sow seeds of mutual discord and division. It is the foremost responsibility of the community which commands numerical advantage to show magnanimity and compromises if the vision is on a strong, united and prosperous Manipur.

In war, smaller states always try to balance with others of their sizes against the bigger opponent(s). Human mind, perhaps, work like that. Like in war, this kind of dictum could not be rejected in our society which would bring detrimental effect. You create suspicions in your moves, there would be fear, tension and hence mistrust. The consequence is deadlock and peace would be the worst victim. Harmony would disappear.

The Present Turmoil: Socio-economic, Cultural, Political and Governance

Manipur, today, clearly stands at a crossroad. Crossroad cannot be mistaken as dilemma because, at least, dilemmas do have compelling options to pick. Crossroad signifies confusion and deep danger ahead. No matter how much we try to neglect the problems and the state of affairs in Manipur, it is completely in chaos.

There is literally nothing to claim that could make us proud – no adequate electricity, no proper roads and transportation system, no safe-drinking water, no space for political dissent, no sanitation and no concrete plan to rejuvenate Manipur. Except for her beautiful landscape, good weather, green paddy fields, rich biodiversity, diverse demography, etc. that nature have bestowed on her, Manipur do not have much to showcase what she possesses.

There is hardly anything to talk about the developmental-governance in Manipur. The state of governance, in general, can be gauged by anyone visiting the state. I am not talking about the road from Tulihal International Airport to Governor Road or Chief Minister's bangalow in Imphal. The apathy shown towards developing a modern, sustainable and well-connected Imphal city could be clearly judged once we enter Thangal Bazar or stroll around Ima Keithel and its surroundings.

Towering a few buildings and making a few more roads at the heart of Imphal broader and better would not qualify for 'good governance'. It simply does not explain where thousands of crores that the State receives from the Centre every year are utilized. It does not explain the inequality and developmental gaps between hill and valley districts. The governance system needs a complete overhaul. Manipur needs a revolutionary mass movement towards rejuvenating itself touching every issue and every section of the population.

Countering the Present Concept of 'Idea of Manipur': Route over Roots

Nevertheless, despite the shortfalls, what we can really show is our indomitable will to overcome provided that we do not get ourselves trapped in the kind of narrative of a nation/entity (read a Manipur) based on certain form of imagination that has no or less relevance to other communities' ethos and conception of Manipur.

This is important because nation and nationalism are enmeshed and sometimes contradictory although not often. Sometimes a specific form of nationalism, say cultural nationalism of a community or ethnic identity, comes in the way of long-lasting harmony and understanding between different communities. This is because nation and nationalism generally thrive on sustaining differences thereby creating antagonism among different communities.

Our main task, today, is not to go deeper in search for 'roots', enough, to make the muddy water muddier. Rather the difficult task ahead is to abandon the 'Idea' and replace with a holistic and practical scheme that respects equality, diversity and time-tested cultural and linguistic harmony among all. It is important to be aware of one's identity and cultural links. In fact, I would say it is necessary but one should not forget the 'route' while focusing too much on 'roots'.

The route to come out of the present chaos does not lie in differentiating each other's cultural identity. Our strength lies in resurrecting our unity and we must uphold this unity at all cost. Unless the strength is harnessed properly, Manipur cannot progress and that is, certainly, what we all would like to avoid. Let our collective consciousness and strength define what a Manipur stands for/would be. The bright future of Manipur lies in our capable hands. Long live Manipur.