Shaping Selective Memories
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: May 19 2015 -
There are multiple ways of recovering memories of the past with an aim to choose paths in the future.
However, the complexities of human minds textured by the necessities of setting political agenda have made the task of recovery even more difficult.
Perhaps, it is this difficulty which gives birth to multifarious reading of the past giving enough elbow room for creating much of the confusion in contemporary times.
Moreover, the way how one reads contemporary realities has most of the time been taken out of contexts by both the valley and hill leaders.
For instance, the way some sections of the media read or misread the visit of Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang to Senapati on May 12 for the ADC poll kick-off rally, indicate how the public have been made to consume what they are fed with.
The Nagaland Chief Minister on that day said that instead of boycotting the ADC election, “it is better to participate, so that we can change the system”.
According to him the ADCs may need restructuring and more empowerment in terms of functions and financial powers.
One can also note Naga People’s Front (NPF) President Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu’s written speech on current party position circulated on the ADC rally kick-off day.
He said that the Meiteis are “more advanced” than the hill people and therefore they should play the role of the “big brother” while remaining as “good neighbours” for all time to come.
He acknowledged that Manipur is a State inhabited by different communities and stressed on the “unity of the people” in the State.
He also advised the NPF ADC candidates not to “embarrass the DAN alliance partners” in Nagaland indicating that the BJP even if it has not made any pre-poll alliance should be given a chance.
His comment on harmonious living in Manipur should be appreciated while noting the possible outcome of the ADC election.
Under such circumstances and if NPF has chosen to contest the ADC polls, the party should be given a chance to prove its worth even if there are certain groups who are opposed to the alleged “imposition” of ADC polls in the State.
The importance of giving a chance to the electoral exercise is significant as NPF has officially acknowledged strengthening the system by participating in the ADC and of course by bringing home poll dividend.
This can be read as one way of steering away from getting trapped in the process of shaping and reshaping selective memories.
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