Khongjom Day observance amid outrage over Hindi policy
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: April 23, 2022 -
OF the varied issues besieging Manipur, the centre's recent move to make Hindi a compulsory subject up to class X; which is also the case for the entire north-eastern states, is being seen as imposition of will of the mainland policy makers with growing suspicion that political elites of the region might have given their assent to the Union government.
However, with the state observing the Khongjom Day, which is not only an annual commemorative event to remember those known and unknown Manipuri brave-hearts who laid down their lives in the battle of Khongjom but also an occasion that underscores the need for remaining united and caution everybody about the consequences of disunity in any society, it shouldn't surprise anybody if leaders of civil society organisations and non-BJP political parties rake up the issue of Hindi policy.
It is obvious that leaders of the establishment would convey greetings to the people, recall valour of Manipuri soldiers against the then powerful British regime, try to instill sense of patriotism among the citizens and exhort the masses to contribute towards the nation building process as they recount the sacrifices made by the forefathers, but definitely skip the raging debate over whether the push for popularising Hindi in the state is intended to gradually assimilate the distinctly dissimilar histories on formation of the Indian union and the then sovereign Manipur.
Khongjom Day also serves as an occasion to remind every Manipuri of the valour and patriotism exhibited by sons of the soil for the independence of their motherland, whether or not the present generation harbours any sense of nationalism.
To protect the sovereign status of their motherland, Manipuri forefathers fought the mighty British and their supreme sacrifices give immense sense of pride to people of the present-day state before the global communities in addition making many believe that the combative spirit among the present generation is inherited from their ancestors.
Moreover, it has been customary for the leaders to remind the people that the pitched battle fought against the mighty British ruler of that time is testament of the indomitable spirit and courage of Manipuris who literally took on the might of British soldiers barehanded.
In the same way, a handful of Manipuri soldiers driven by the love of their motherland fought against the mighty British Empire and laid down their lives, it is but natural that objections would be raised from different quarters in case any policy of either the Union government or the state is not compatible with general sentiment of the people.
The Battle of Khongjom has also been a consistent reminder that the British rulers took full advantage of disunity and enmity among the Manipuri Princes, whose craving for power ultimately deprived them the coveted throne and also made the princes and all Manipuris subjects of alien rulers for several decades.
Therefore, any hint of the establishment ignoring sentiment and aspiration of the masses would be construed as prioritisation of the throne of power. The suspicion that the much detested policy might have the consent of the state's leaders has also been deepened as neither the ministers nor representatives of political parties lending unconditional support to the government have so far commented on the issue with exception of the opposition Congress and Left parties, outright condemnations by civil societies and student organisations.
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