THE STORY OF THE NEGLECTED
Exclusion of Manipuri women: A case study
- Part 2 -

Seram Neken *

Mass Rally protesting crime against women in June 2013 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

Since the pre-historic times, women of Manipur have been regarded as courageous and patient. Manipuri women gallantly came out to fight for the nation during the two historic Nupi Lals (Women's War) in 1904 and in 1939. In almost all agitations in the society, women of the state have been taking the leading role to fight out errant policy makers and executers. Women vigilante groups in the form of 'Meira Paibi'(Torch Bearers) in every locality of the state have been protecting the youths from the commissions of the security personnel.

In controlling drug abuse and alcoholics, women groups have been burning the midnight oil in local streets everywhere since decades back. The historic nude protest in front of the Kangla in the infamous Brutal Murder of Manorama case reflects the inherent courage and will of Manipuri women. Right from the small economic activities to earn for the family to the active participation in nation building exercises, women always take unlimited roles in Manipur.

In history, when Manipur was invaded by its neighbours, Manipuri women came out to defend their motherland. Women of Manipur, like their male counterparts, were also acquainted with the skills of warfare. Besides looking after home and bearing all the responsibilities of children, financial support to the family by doing transactions in the market etc., they also learnt the skill of self defence and offence. As for instance, the infamous queen Linthoingambi of Manipur could capture the enemy when the king was on some other expedition to war. Princess Sija Phongdalokpi, the daughter of Maharaj Gourashyam saved her husband from the clutches of the enemy.

Princess Thoibi of Moirang came riding on horseback from Kwakta to Moirang to save her prestige. During the days of Khamba Thoibi, women of Manipur participated in various athletics sports such as race, Kang Sannaba, boating and horse riding. So it is no wonder to see a Manipuri girl playing the game of Polo sitting on horseback with stick in hand in modern times. Imbibed with the spirit of sports right from the young age, they can easily adjust to any kind of sports readily.

It is no wonder that Manipuri girls who are habituated to the indigenous games turn out champions in national and international sports events. Not only the games, Manipuri girls excel in numerous arts such as Ras Lila dance, Lai Haraoba dance, Thabal Chongba dance and many other tribal dances. Boxer Mary Kom won Bronze Medal in London Olympics 2012. L. Bombela represented India in London Olympics in 2012 in Archery. Th. Sanamacha Chanu participated in Sydney Olympics in 2000 and Athens Olympics in 2004 in weightlifting. L. Brojeshwori and S. Kunjarani participated in Athens Olympics 2004 in Judo and weightlifting respectively. Thus sportswomen of Manipur have exhibited their indomitable spirit to the world.

Of course, the status of women in some creamy layers of Manipuri society nowadays is considerably improved. Ladies role in important seminars, workshops and functions which was generally limited to badge-pinning of VIPs, bouquet presentations and tea distribution, has now widened to participation in discussions and deliberations with the appearance of a number of women intellectuals, journalists, social workers, politicians and responsible officials. Women obviously no longer remain backward and downtrodden.

At some circles, the status of women is almost at par with the opposite sex. In families, in workplaces, government offices, colleges, schools, universities etc., women play greater role and take greater responsibility than men. In middle class families of Manipur, many men are doing domestic works like the women in order to harmoniously maintain the family. Today, both the parents are made to engage their time and energy at the maximum in upbringing children. No wonder, men begin to cook food, wash clothes, clean the floors and teach the children to assist their better halves. Roles of men and women have almost become the same in family maintenance.

From intellectuals, scholars and teachers to doctors and engineers, from journalists, columnists and news anchors to security officers and administrators, from artists and poets to sport stars, from politicians and social workers to successful entrepreneurs; there is no dearth of Manipuri women occupying responsible positions. Present day Manipur has given birth to bright ladies – it is proud that Manipuri women have entered in the Indian Administrative service, other than the state civil services and state police services.

Manipur University has a number of women professors, associate professors and so on, besides a host of lecturers teaching in colleges and schools. In reputed private schools, lady teachers take a big share as compared to men counterparts. A number of Manipuri ladies are also serving as Doctors in state and outside hospitals. Young Manipuri ladies are also serving as responsible positions in multi-national companies outside the state and even abroad.

There are also lady news reporters, sub-editors, news readers, anchors who are in media houses of the state. In politics and social service, we have enough number of women holding responsible positions. Manipuri women are also sitting as Judges and Magistrates, besides a number of lady advocates in various Law courts of Manipur. The picture, however, is not all rosy everywhere. There are still reports of domestic violence, coercion, rape and atrocities against women.

In spite of all the glories, Manipuri women at large still face discrimination and exclusions. Solution lies in encouraging participation and empowerment of women. Male folks should be equally empowered to enable them to swallow their pride and accept the need for equality with women. Women should be fully equipped to meet the challenges. "Martial arts should not be taken up only as a sport. I urge all women to take up martial arts so that they can defend themselves to some extent…………" This is what Boxer Olympian Mary Kom from Manipur once appealed to all women of the country in the wake of burgeoning tragic gang-rapes and murders in India in recent times.

It's indeed true that women should be fit enough – both emotionally and physically to protect themselves against male brutality. Mentality of Indian males has drastically become inferior to that of animals, as animals do not indulge in assaults and rapes of their females. Rather, animals treat their female counterparts with due regard and respect. Rampant incidents of molestation, rapes and murders of women in the country and Manipur state have been due to degrading human values and immoral psyche of the males.

Feeling the strong need to politically empower the better-halves of the community, the Constitution of India has made provision for seat reservations for women in local bodies' elections. The ideal is that women will have their say in governance, they will advocate their needs and they will strive for their fulfillment. However, the reality is that men still take part in huge power sharing behind the women reservations theory. Powerful men are putting up their wives for the fray, so that they exercise the power behind their wives. There is need to make rational use of constitutional provisions.

Behind every successful man, there is always a woman. But, it is not said that there is a man behind every successful woman. It obviously indicates a unique sense of responsibility attached to the other half of humanity. Educating a woman is educating the whole family. Empowering women is empowering the society. However, it is disheartening that most cases of domestic violence, coercion and mishandling against women in Manipur involve one or the other woman of the family. There is often a woman involved in perpetrating violence against another woman.

In families, localities and society at large, a woman often try to subdue another woman. Instead of sustaining and forgiving her gender counterpart, a woman tries to suppress and depress a woman. Women issues are perpetrated mostly by women, against women. Women themselves should take greater role in empowering themselves than the men. Until and unless women fully appreciate their own folk in the society, one half of the humanity will not get relief from atrocities and crimes.

Discrimination of HIV infected people in Manipur society is not a new story. The stigma and discrimination attached to HIV infected people are due to ignorance about the disease by the general people. When the ignorance and misconception surrounding the HIV and AIDS menace is removed, when we all realize that HIV virus is not transmitted via social gatherings, we will not discriminate infected people.

When we avoid the thinking that HIV and AIDS are behaviour related ailment, we will not stigmatise the HIV infected people. In spite of having the AIDS policies at national and state levels to prohibit any kind of discrimination against HIV AIDS infected or infected people, there are still cases of exclusion of the affected.

Concluded...