Joint appeal to diffuse deadlock over the school/colleges boycott in Imphal
PR from Various groups

JOINT APPEAL TO DIFFUSE DEADLOCK OVER THE SCHOOL / COLLEGES BOYCOTT IN IMPHAL

TO THE STUDENT'S UNIONS:

The aims and aspirations of the students unions in Manipur agitating against the ongoing state sponsored terrorism deserve full solidarity from the general public. In its struggle for the ruling government to be held accountable for the various human rights violations in Manipur, they have resorted to boycotting students' education. We, however, believe firmly that the consequence of the ongoing education or class boycott in the long run, could be counter-productive, subsequently can contradict the very purpose these organizations are seeking through the agitation, thereby raising the possibility of their image being perceived wrongly.

We do believe that any democratic protest has its own momentum and can ebb away slowly on its own as its driving force wane gradually. We have seen many protests, strikes in the wake of the incidents in Manipur but the present government have not look at tackling these issues democratically.

In fact, if we really look into the matter the public would even begin to forget the purpose behind the agitation of the student's Union. As the agitation prolongs itself, the parents, guardians, teachers and general public have started realizing that the ongoing protest might be against the welfare of the people, especially the students. On the flip side, these kinds of agitation may end up working against these organization as they were bring formed to protect the rights of the students and not jeopardize their future.

The government is, as we have seen in the past, seems to be focused in just buying time, during which can result in a undesirable contradiction and distrust between the public and the agitating bodies, thereby resulting in a possible nullification of each other. We strongly believe that public will then be again, might be left with nothing, without justice!

Had our elected government been truly democratic then, we believe, they would have never indulged in militarization and resulting gross human rights violation, and that has been justified in the name of upholding democratic law. Instead, any democratic government would have listened and act upon, to the many public outcry against the various atrocities that has claimed the thousands of lives till today.

We believe such an ideal democratic govt. would have also initiated dialogues with the students Unions regarding the boycott of children's education so as to safeguard the right to education. But we, instead of such prior justified responsible actions, believe, the govt had been playing with the fundamental civil rights & emotions of the public.

The government has done nothing that a democratic government should be doing. We believe these basic distortions and anomaly in the roots needs to be corrected for a future prosperous democratic society, but we are also of the strong belief that in an effort and protest to correct these basic wrongs, the use of class or education boycott can be interpreted as too shallow and a counter-productive method to be used.

This crucial moment calls for a better and effective strategy which can exert a much intensifying and effective pressure to the government. We would like to request to the various student's organization to please understand the need of continuation of a productive education especially during these unfortunate time, for we believe that in the long run , it is the best means to move our society to the form of humane democracy, we all aspire .

TO THE GOVERNMENT: RESPONSIBILITY CALLING

Our first question to the government is why are they still sitting idle while the lives of thousands of the students are at stake? Why is the government taking a safe side by just being a silent spectator in the present situation? What is the purpose of the existence of a government that takes no responsibility for any kind of public grievance?

Why has the government not come up with a forum to bring certain form of negotiation with the student organizations? If the government is irresponsible and fails to understand the importance of the lives of thousands of students then we question the rationale behind its existence. It is a clear signal that the present government is unable to handle the situation.

If the government has any consideration for the students and the general public then it should have taken the initiative to speak to the student bodies to break the deadlock from the very first day of the class boycott. The Government being a silent spectator all this while only shows its lack of interest and carefree attitude toward the public.

If there is even an iota of concern left for justice then the government should move forward and arrange for a table of negotiations over which political dialogue can be conducted in order to solve the impasse. Silence and indifference is worst than anything and it will only lead to further confusions deadlock will only get tighter. The Government's silence only shows that it has no respect for the people, their lives and their dignity. The government, that does not enjoy any support from the general public, has lost its legitimacy. It is facing an inherent contradiction and sooner or later it can crumble on its own.

How long will the government continue to remain indifferent and unaccountable from its responsibilities? It is necessary for the government to know and accept its fault and try to find ways of correcting themselves. It must constantly be reminded that such boycott came up because of the dictatorial attitude of the government and its gross violation of civil rights and violent militarization of our state over a period of time.

APPEAL TO BOTH THE PARTIES: LIFTING EDUCATION ABOVE POLITICS

There is a critical need for a re-evaluation and reconfirmation of the purpose of education. Education can give jobs, make a person much enlightened, and make one understand the society better. But the main purpose of education is to make someone capable of questioning the existing systems –political, economic, social or ethical if any of these systems perpetuate subjugation, oppression and exploitation and subsequently to denounce those unjust elements and resist and change them towards fairer ones.

Our society is emaciated for want of these means provided by education. In fact, the more we boycott classes the more political turmoil we are inviting in the long run. Education is the only way to make people capable of making dialogue without which no human community can survive in peace. In this dark and disappointing environment, education is the only ray of hope. We call upon all to rise above to put forward education.

Education is crucial to the life of our democracy. In that sense, anybody who has been thinking about democracy has to think about education. There is a profound connection between guaranteeing democratic rights and education as the foundation, which makes democracy work. The founding of the common school, the public school was for the foundation for an effective and successful democracy. The connection between schooling, citizenship and democracy is taken for granted.

Both the sides are called upon to give room for dialogue, to break the deadlock and come up with a consensus benefiting the future of our society. Let us give to each other the room for dialogue, debate and argument so that a consensus can be brought which will be good for the public. We appeal to all to support education and lift the class boycott and find other ways and means.

Issued by:
1. Linux Manipur
2. Don Bosco Imphal Alumni
3. Khoibu Students' Union, Delhi
4. Kuki Students' Organization, Delhi
5. Naga Students' Union, Delhi
6. International Manipuri Progressive Forum, UK
7. Little Flower Alumni
8. Manipur Youth Foundation
9. Zillai Yahoogroups (International)