Apologies to "Pabung Biren"
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: September 30, 2024 -

WHEN has criticising the government become an offence in Manipur?

More importantly, who has given the authority to a civil society like Meitei Leepun to pull up anyone criticising the N Biren Singh-led BJP government in Manipur, which is still floundering from trying to find a solution to the over 16 months long ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Chin and Meetei communities in the state?

We are raising these questions in view of the disturbing events that are being witnessed wherein many young social media users are forced to apologise to "Pabung Biren" and his government for the comments they made or posted on social media. No one really knows what these "young and restless" social media users had actually said or done that might cause irreparable harm to the reputation of 'Pabung Biren' and his government.

But the force behind which is acting as the powers that be are making sure that no one dares to criticise the BJP government led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh over its handling or mishandling of the protracted ethnic crisis in the state.

In the latest instance of flexing muscle to silence the dissenting voices against the N Biren Singh-led BJP government in Manipur, Meitei Leepun has been accused of abducting a young and gutsy man and harassing him for criticising Chief Minister N Biren Singh in a WhatsApp group.

The young man in question, Jos Chongtham (27), who hails from Huikap in Imphal East district, happens to be one of our columnists.

He writes regularly to share opinions and views on varied issues related to the state and world affairs through his column "A swallowed bait" every Wednesday.

According to the accounts given by Jos Chongtham, about 50 armed members of Meitei Leepun cameto his house in 7/8 four-wheeler vehicles around 10.25 am on Friday (September 27) and abducted him.

The reason for the abduction is he had forwarded an image with a text on a WhatsApp group, "Be the change - We support Oja Bimol", pertaining to the recent charges levelled against human rights activist Babloo Loitongbam by Meitei Leepun.

Leaving aside what sixteen different civil society organisations have said to Meitei Leepun about owing responsibility for misleading the public if it cannot bring out concrete evidence to substantiate the charges levelled against Babloo Loitongbam of taking money from the Kukis, what we would like to emphasise here is that the right to criticise a government, whether it is led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh or any other individual, is essential for maintaining accountability, and it is very much a part of the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by the Constitution of India to all its citizens.

As a matter of fact, the Supreme Court of India had on numerous occasions ruled and hailed dissenting voices and criticism as crucial elements for a vibrant and thriving democracy.

Of course, it is equally true that while criticism of the government and its officials may be valid, anyone engaging in spreading false news and allegations about a political personality or an individual in a schematic and planned manner cannot be condoned.

Criticism of this kind amounts to defamation and it is not protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution which grants Indian citizens the right to freedom of speech and expression.

In the light of these facts, we would like to say it is rather audacious on the part of Meitei Leepun to make a desperate attempt to force Jos Chongtham to say that the post he forwarded on the WhatsApp group was given to him by Oja Bimol Akoijam, RK Nimai, Yambem Laba, Thounaojam Brinda and Malem Ningthouja to malign the image of the government.

This is a serious issue that could boomerang on the same government and the Chief Minister that Meitei Leepun has been trying hard to shield from criticism.

Now that Jos Chongtham has revealed the dirty secret behind all the apologies tendered by 'young and restless' social media users, 'Pabung Biren' should be wary of his supporters who are going out of their way if he wants to regain his popularity as "People's Chief Minister", although it sounds anachronistic at the moment.