Ex-SF major's 'Savages' remark sparks outrage
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 22 2025: A tweet by a retired Major of the Indian Army's special forces has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with several X (formerly Twitter) users condemning the post as racist, dehumanising, and reflective of the long-standing alienation of the people of Manipur by sections of mainland India.

In his post, the retired officer wrote: "Reimpose AFSPA in whole Manipur.

Savages need to be under control.

There cannot be good and bad savages for country and state of Manipur.

They have fed on people's insecurities and will keep doing the same while hiding behind their political masters" .

Ex-SF major's 'Savages' remark sparks outrage

The retired officer, Major Digvijay Singh Rawat, previously served as the troop commander of 21 PARA (Special Forces) and was awarded the Kirti Chakra in 2024 for his leadership in intelligence-based military operations in Manipur.

The tweet has drawn strong criticism from users across the country, who called it a blatant example of racial prejudice and an attempt to vilify entire communities in the state.

Many pointed out the disturbing use of the word "savages", calling it colonial and dehumanising, especially coming from a former member of the armed forces.

Observers and critics argued the language used in the tweet reflects a deep-rooted sense of alienation toward the people of Manipur.

The word "savages" has long been associated with colonial attitudes, used to justify the subjugation of indigenous populations by portraying them as uncivilised and threatening.

Many felt that its use in this context suggests a racial or cultural superiority complex, painting entire communities as lesser or dangerous.

The tweet also reinforces a longstanding "us versus them" mindset between the mainland Indian and the Northeast people.

Many from the region have often spoken about how they are perceived as outsiders within their own country.

This kind of language and rhetoric fuels that alienation further, suggesting that they are not fully part of the national identity and must be controlled rather than understood.

Additionally, the demand to re-impose AFSPA across all of Manipur, especially in such a sweeping and aggressive tone, indicates a militarised and hostile approach toward a region already grappling with ethnic tension and trauma.

Rather than advocating for dialogue, healing, or resolution, the tweet promotes force and domination, which many believe will only escalate existing problems, critics said.

What also alarmed many was the way the tweet generalised an entire group.

The statement "there cannot be good and bad savages" strips individuals of their identity and paints all with the same brush, further dehumanising the population and denying the complexities of the conflict.

Condemnations were rife with Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCQMI) convenor Khuraijam Athouba, vehemently denouncing the tweet as emblematic of colonial mindset toward the Northeast.

In a sharply worded response, he said, "When mainland Indians including retired army officers justify and even celebrate the imposition of inhumane, draconian, and colonial laws like the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) upon the indigenous territories in NE region and people of Manipur, it only reaffirms an old, bitter truth".

Citing a saying often repeated by Manipuri elders - "The white master is gone, but now we have the brown master" - he argued that indigenous people in the region have never truly experienced freedom.

He went on to call democracy of India a "farce" that masks "a colonial regime ruled by brown masters who inherited the baton of oppression from their British predecessors".

Athouba asserted that under AFSPA, the people of Manipur are treated not as citizens but as "subjects of a brutal military regime".

"This is not democracy.

This is a military occupation," Athouba wrote and urged the international community to hold India accountable, asking, "What moral authority does India have to speak of human rights and democracy when it retains and defends a colonial act like AFSPA?" .

Other users echoed similar sentiments.

One user, Sherlok, sarcastically wrote, "Major saab wants some more human rights violations and license to kill anyone...Yes, we North Easterners are 'Savages'" .

OurKenobi wrote, "AFSPA must go.

It is inhuman and a stain on India's democracy" .

Arambam Ashish remarked, "Never expected such infested mind in a retired SF officer!" while Nicolas Tayenjam warned, "Keep dreaming...Imposing AFSPA in the remaining non-AFSPA districts will remain just a pipe dream" .

Another user, Donald_takhell, called the remark "completely atrocious", adding that "AFSPA has never been the solution and never will be" .