Unique history of the Nagas : Unique identity of Manipur
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: November 30 2017 -
That Thuingaleng Muivah is a far sighted man is a given and to the Nagas he will certainly go down as a visionary leader.
This however should not mean that in championing the history of the Nagas, the history of other places such as Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh should be ridden rough shod.
The uniqueness of the Naga history is something which has been tom-tommed continuously ever since the then Atal Behari Vajpayee Government gave its stamp of recognition to the history of the Naga people, but it should not be forgotten that the history of every people is unique in its own way.
It should therefore stand that the unique history of the Nagas does not trample upon the unique history of Manipur or Assam or Arunachal Pradesh.
This is a point which should have been raised for all concerned to hear and digest but unfortunately not much seems to have been done on this front.
Much like the UNC fell back on the four MoUs inked between it and the Government of Manipur to consult all stakeholders before district status is given to Sadar Hills (now Kangpokpi district), the NSCN (IM) too has been falling back on the ‘unique history of the Nagas’ to assert their stand.
This amounts to saying that the history of other people is not unique.
And it is on the steam of the unique history of the Nagas that the peace talk between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India is proceeding towards a solution and this is where it becomes important to remind the BJP led NDA Government at New Delhi that Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are distinct geo-political realities and have their own history, which may be far removed from what is taught in history classrooms of schools and colleges in India.
The BJP too should take note of the fact that Manipur is like the proverbial island of Hinduism surrounded by a sea of other religions, specially the valley area of the State.
It is this uniqueness of Manipur which the BJP led Government at Delhi should understand and appreciate.
Such a line of thought will not go against the principle of secularism for what is being said here is nothing but the truth and it is this truth which the BJP led NDA Government at Delhi should learn to respect.
If the history of the Nagas can be classified as unique, then the uniqueness of Manipur too should be noted.
In as much as the far sightedness of Th Muivah is to be appreciated and respected, it also stands that the unique position that Manipur occupies in the North Eastern corner of the country should be respected and appreciated.
This uniqueness of Manipur should not be erased by the ‘unique history’ of another set of people.
Work out a solution to the Naga problem, but in the process do not try to dilute the unique identity of Manipur.
This should be the calling card of New Delhi and the BJP led Government here too should highlight this fact in no uncertain terms.
The unique identity of Manipur should not be allowed to be compromised.
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