Government of Manipur! Students and People of Manipur is Important OR AP Pandey ?

Marina Konsam *

Relay Hunger Strike at Canchipur for removal of Manipur University AP Pandey on 31 July 2018 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

Our forefathers, fathers, mothers often told us that 'You!', "THE YOUTH" are the pillar of the society and nation at large. They also did tell us that "you need to do something for the betterment of the society, you must know your will and your rights".

Keeping those encouraging words in mind, we, the youths gets strengthen and empowers to do things which will contribute for the welfare and betterment of the society at large. Likewise, there are large numbers of students' organizations in Manipur working for the welfare of the people after being empowered by those words as a guiding principle.

We cannot deny the fact that these organizations contribute at large to safeguard the indigenous people of Manipur like the issue of ILP, integrity of Manipur, etc.

Recently under the leadership of MUSU yet another serious issue triggered among the students enrolled under the Manipur University demanding for the removal of Vice Chancellor AP Pandey of MU since the past 60 days.

It is a known fact that the AP Pandey is very arrogant person so as the State and the Central government. They pay no heed for the careers of the large numbers of students for their own ego or so called self-prestigious which is an act of discrimination.

Unfortunately a shame is that our state government is taking the side of those central discriminators which is very shocking to the people of Manipur especially the students. There is yet another suspicious question passing among the students is on how much wealth did these two Governments Settled the matter of AP Pandey?

As the Manipur University is located in Manipur, the students enrolled are mostly from Manipur and other parts of the North East then "why to appoint a Vice Chancellor who has lack of knowledge of the people of Manipur and North East?" "why not a person who is familiar with the culture and Identity of the people of the North East?".

Why this question arises is clear that the allegation made for the misutilization of University's fund by AP Pandey is not a positive sign of doing betterment for the student nor for the people then why not to change him.

It clearly indicates that the present BJP led government too is also not doing well for the students and people of Manipur. During this movement against the AP Pandey large number of students took part in democratic protest, however, such a peaceful and democratic protest are made cracked down by those personnel who are poorly trained on how to control the peaceful demonstrators.

Such heinous act upon the peaceful student's protestors is an act of an uneducated person including their commanders. It is very confusing to realize that why are we hating, fighting amongst ourselves for AP Pandey who presently has an allegation of looting the Manipur University's Fund and on the other hand it is very interesting to observe our government protecting AP Pandey (who is claimed to be a corrupt) by harassing its own people of Manipur.

In this juncture "Where is your Anti Corruption Cell" Mr. CM?

It could be recalled that the MU was converted into a Central University w.e.f. 13 October 2005. The Manipur University Act No.54 of 2005 received the assent of the president on 28 December 2005.

As per the section 13 of MU Act 2005, the VC can be appointed by the Visitor of the university i.e. the President of India. Being a central university, the central government's authorities exercises it's power over the students who are mostly from Manipur and other NE states.

There are various local colleges of Manipur, high schools, higher secondary schools and various other institutes which are affiliated to MU.

Here arises the question on "Why only the central govt. is authorized to appoint the VC without the consent of the Government of Manipur"? Could it be a plan of the central government to subside the real need of the students who are enrolled under the Manipur University as the present Vice Chancellor Mr. A.P Pandey has lack of sense of the Culture and Identity of the people of Manipur.

Then how he could do betterment or the welfare of the Manipur University and for Manipur at large. Serving the Manipur University is serving the people of Manipur as the future generation lies here in Manipur University, knowing this fact we have a suspicion that the central government is intentionally trying to destroy the MU which is the future of Manipur.

Lastly, it is very heartbroken to realize that we voted to form the Government of Manipur but it seems we voted for the government which is controlled by the central government and to act on the tuned of the Central Government.

The lives and career of thousands of students are not considered as an primary task to be completed then our question to the Government of Manipur is that "how the government of Manipur is going to compensate the loss of one academic year?", "Are you inviting the students to come to your office or resident to fill up the admission forms for the further studies?", "Are you ready to accommodate all the students?" and "Can the Government give admission for thousands of students?".

It may be a year gap for the Government of Manipur, but to us it is equal to hundreds of years. Being a student, we are frustrated, unclear and unsecure about our future being ruined by the Government by not protecting our careers and lives.

Like us there are thousands of students who are ready to voice out, their mind and thoughts may not be similar with us but we believe that their thought will be more powerful. Combining these thoughts, it is a big voice which can give a huge turn to this coming election and it will not be a tough task if the issue isn't resolved soon.

Dear Government of Manipur, please decide who is more important your people or the corrupt AP Pandey?