RPF blames 'Indianisation' for social ills gripping Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 10 2013: Citing assimilation into the Hindu social system and sustained Indianisation process as some of the primary factors for various ills afflicting Manipuri society at present, the proscribed RPF has called for intense introspection to wriggle out of the perilous situation.

Noting increasing cases of violence against women and children, particularly outraging modesty of women and trafficking of women and children, an RPF statement issued by its Publicity secretary Roben Khuman opined that failure to uphold democratic principles, ineffective legal system, leniency in punishing the criminals, economic disparity and ill-conceived social ethics are some of the causes continuously dragging Manipuri society to an abysmal low.

In addition to absolute absence of gender justice and the Hindu system misinterpreting principle of patriarchal system as male chauvinism, people of Manipur drawn more towards glitz of Hindu ceremonies is only compounding the problems and creating further confusion, said Roben.

Referring to newspaper report about 251 cases of various forms of violence against women in 2012, and highlighting all India record of over 2 lakh similar cases as per national Crime Bureau report for 2010, the secretary construed that high prevalence of such unwanted events compared to insignificant number of criminals facing charges/punishment is an indication that the legal system has failed to protect rights of the women.

The increasing rate of violence against women also testifies that the Indian democratic principle is toothless against the Hindu system of males being the master and the womenfolk left to live a wretched life.

In the case of Manipuri women invasion of the Hindu system is most vivid during marriage as dowry issues continue to be dominant irrespective of whether the bride belongs to a poor family or has sound financial backing, Roben highlighted adding that number of properties attached at the time of marriage has become one of the reasons for the increase in violence against women.

If one is unwilling to tolerate constant abuse from the in-laws on the dowry issue, a married woman does not have other options, he said and pointed out that such misfortune befalling upon the womenfolk often compels a mother to despise a baby girl.

While it is the individual family that has to play the major role in saving the Manipuri society from further decadence there is also need for collective decision and action as uprooting a deeply-rooted social system should have the support of every section of the society, said the RPF statement.

Comment