Commemorates Nude Protest held by mothers of Manipur before Kangla Gate

New, Delhi, 15th July, 2016 :

MSAD commemorates Nude Protest held by mothers of Manipur before Kangla Gate

Manipur Students’ Association Delhi commemorates the Nude Protest held by the mothers of Manipur before Kangla Gate on 15th July 2004 against AFSPA, 1958 at Delhi university. A discussion program was initiated by Miraj shah Korimayum, President MSAD; Guneshwor, MSAD Sports Committee Member; Sunil , MSAD Audit committee member; Sanjit, MSAD Academic committee member.

Guneshwor spoke about rape case of Valley Rose in Ukhrul District in 1974, then, Oinam Military operation in Senapati District and historic peoples’ movement against Indian military operation after Manaroma was brutally raped and killed in 2004. He categorically says “We are surviving still now because of the protest by the mothers. We should strive to keep alive that courage”.

Sunil, on behalf of the victims of the military operation under AFSPA, questioned the validity of implementation of AFSPA. He said that Manipur was annexed to the dominion of India in 1949 and AFSPA is a result of that. He stated that the nude protest by the mothers was a first and unique of its kind against military operation.

Further Sanjit commended that it is very good of MSAD to commemorate such an important and historic protest and the younger generation is very proud of such courageous act of our mothers. The legacy of Manipuri women’s struggle is still alive. The protest is not only against the military operation but also against the patriarchal domination on women. From this day, the start of the third Nupi Lan has begun.

The 15th July protest became the eye opener of the people including every sections of the society of the atrocities carried out by the Indian military forces. The younger generation should do more than what the mothers had done. Miraj Shah Kori said that Ima’s 15 July was not simply a protest but it was an expression of a love of the mothers for their daughter. It shows Ima were ready to do anything even destroy their modesty for the sake of their children.

MSAD commemorates Nude Protest held by mothers of Manipur before Kangla Gate

15th July could not be compared with any kind of protest. It is not only that state will kill people who holds gun in their hands. State kills people who hold stones in Kashmir and any anyone who lives under the shadow of military law. Even Indian government does not consider the 16 years of Irom Sharmila’s fast against AFSPA. More than 1500 people have been killed under extrajudicial killings in Manipur.

Another speaker from law student said that Law is made under the command of state. Law is the command of the sovereign which implies certain duties on the people and sanction from the state in case of non compliance. Indian state gives arbitrary power to the Indian armed forces in “disturbed area”.

A representative of the Indian state, the Attorney General of India said that “We have the right to shoot people to protect the national security of India”. AFSPA is an instrument to suppress the political movement instead of trying to resolve political issues. In other words AFSPA is mechanism to loot the resources that is available in Manipur under the protection of military.

The discussion had resolved with an understanding that Political issues of Manipur have to be resolved by political means not by the tools of military solution. It had failed so far in the last 65 years. We should always remember 15th July and younger generation should carry forward the path of the struggle that have been going on in Manipur against oppression.

The commemoration was attended by Volunteers, Executive, advisors and many people. MSAD thanks to all the members who took responsibility to commemorate 15th July.

With regards
Miraj Shah korimayum
President, MSAD