Ideology of Yangmaso Shaiza in the early period and the people who were inspired by his ideas

Sagolsem Indrakumar *

Among all the patriots born in Manipur who had the dream of having an independent and united Manipur, Yangmaso Shaiza who was born in Ukhrul was one of them. It is not an easy thing to write or speak about some reverent persons like him who had come on earth with so many responsibilities and purposes. There is a necessity to do an in-depth study and discussion about Yangmaso Shaiza. But this paper of mine is not a research work. The paper is a presentation from the collection of what I have seen, known and heard personally about Yangmaso.

Today's topic of my presentation is ¬- Ideology of Yangmaso Shaiza in the early period and the people who were inspired by his ideas. It is about 60 years from now, sometimes in 1952-53.

Yangmaso Shaiza was my school teacher. Yangmaso was the first head master of The New Girls and Adult Night High School which was built in the academic session of 1952-53. During that period of time, I was studying in seventh standard in the same school. The founder of the school was Shagolsem Indramani who is popularly known as 'Oja Indramani.' Teacher Indramani was the founder secretary of the school and my own father. This is one of the reasons for me to know deeply about Teacher Yangmaso Shaiza.

The duo (Shaiza and my father) who think alike became a perfect companion in educating the youth and children of the place.

As my teacher Yangmaso and my father were very close friends, I could see all their works though I was very small to understand. I witnessed that teacher Yangmaso used to come frequently at our house and used to eat food together with us. He was like our family member. Teacher Yangmaso was good looking, whitish in colour, had good dressing sense and possessed very cool personality. And he was very proficient in teaching students.

When Manipur was emerged into Bharat in 1949, at that time some unhappy people who love the motherland had formed a political party called All Manipur National Union. Few prominent figures among them were R Suisa and Yangmaso Shaiza from the hilly region, Shagolsem Indramani and Hawaiman Nillamani from the valley region. Three candidates from the party succeeded in the 1952 election.

They are:
1. Maharajkumari Binodini Devi of Khurai constituency
2. R Suisa of Ukhrul constituency (un contest)
3. Atnam Anal of Tengnoupal constituency

As All Manipur National Union was not a recognised political party, the three winning candidates have been taken as Independent candidates.

All Manipur National Union published a daily newspaper for the political party entitled as 'Mother Manipur'. Wahengbam Pralhad was the editor of 'Mother Manipur.' The political scenario of that time was often discussed in the newspaper.

Among all the unsatisfied patriotic politicians of that time, young politician, R.K. Maipaksana was one of them. He was the leader of Gandhi Sebak Sabha. In 1952 election he became a successful candidate of Gandhi Sebak Sabha from Singjamei constituency. All Manipur National Union political party led by Shagolsem Indramani and Gandhi Sebak Sabha party of R.K. Maipaksana decided to combine and form a different party called Revolutionary Nationalist Party of Manipur.

It was decided that Revolutionary Nationalist Party of Manipur would be formed after holding a meeting and disclosing the list of steps and actions of the party to the people. The people's meeting was decided to hold on Sunday afternoon, 03.00 pm of 19th April, 1953. Three different kinds of leaflets, meant for the meeting, were distributed to the public. Those leaflets were signed by Shagolsem Indramani, R.K. Maipaksana and Yangmaso Shaiza.

The April 19's meeting was attended by a huge no. of people and people believed that the meeting was one of the biggest meetings of that time which was attended by a large crowd. In some newspapers, it was reported that around 11,000 people attended at the meeting. Three leaders delivered speeches in the meeting; they were Shagolsem Indramani, R.K. Maipaksana and Yangmaso Shaiza. On the day of the meeting Yangmaso was not feeling well due to sore throat and his written speech was dictated by Wahengbam Pralhad.

After the meeting of April 19, it was announced that All Manipur Nationalist Union and Gandhi Sebak Sabha had combined and formed a new party called Revolutionary Nationalist Party of Manipur. Shagolsem Indramani became President of the new party and R.K. Maipaksana became General Secretary.

The meeting took four resolutions and also declared all the future activities of Revolutionary Nationalist Party of Manipur. The resolutions were as follows:
1. In order to solve the problem of food scarcity, the price of 40 kg rice should be reduced to Rs. 8 and Rs. 5 for food grain.
2. To demand for a full responsible government based on adult franchise within 15 days starting from April 19. The meeting condemns the formation of advisory council.
3. As a step of bringing responsible government, the Electoral College should be changed to legislature by keeping a council of ministers. Let the indigenous people become the office bearer instead of the non Manipuri.
4. Ten years after the world war ends no compensation has been given fully for the damages caused by the war. If the compensation is not given as soon as possible, a notification will be sent to the responsible authority of Britain, United Nations and Japan.

From the above mentioned demands if the Indian government failed to fulfil the first three demands, Revolutionary Nationalist Party of Manipur decided to start a hunger strike to convert Manipur into an Independent buffer State.

In 1953, April 24, early morning, Shagolsem Indramani, R.K. Maipaksana, Yangmaso Shaiza and the editor of Mother Manipur, Wahengbam Pralhad were taken into custody. After its trial in the Manipur court for some times under Sub divisional officer, Sadar and Magistrate first class, Nildhwaj Singh, the court's verdict was declared on October 12 of 1953; the four leaders, Shagolsem Indramani, R.K. Maipaksana, Yangmaso Shaiza and Wahengbam Pralhad would be punished for six months rigours imprisonment under IPC section 124-A and 153-A.

Condemning the court's verdict, the four leaders appealed to Session Judge, Manipur court. They appealed to Judicial Commissioner Court stating that the code of criminal procedure was not enforced according to the Merged States (law) Act, 1949 and Part C States' (law) Act, 1950 and hence it has to be presented to Chief Court. Lawyer of the four appellant was Nongmeikappam Ibotombi and Advocate S. Bardhan was from the government prosecutor's side. The case went on for many days. Recordings of the public meeting held in April 19 were played during the trial and the two advocates argued with each other. During the trial, the four leaders walked by paddle under strict security force. After having trials for many days the judicial commissioner declared that the four leaders were innocent.

The end part of the decision says:
"In view of my findings above, the charges under Ss124 and 153-A, IPC, were not established against the present appellant beyond all reasonable doubts, and so I allow this appeal and I set aside the conviction of the appellants and as well as the sentences which have been imposed on them under these sections. The appellants are already on bail. They need not surrender as their bail bond is discharged. Conviction and sentences set aside."

After the four leaders were captured, no one came up to take the initiative of holding further agitations. But it is true that the four leaders of Revolutionary Nationalist Party of Manipur –Shagolsem Indramani, R.K. Maipaksana, Yangmaso Shaiza and Wahenbam Pralhad had built a future pillar for a united Manipur.

The patriot, Yangmaso Shaiza always dreamt for having a united Manipur. He played a major role in the formation of All Manipur National Union and then Revolutionary Nationalist Party of Manipur. His beliefs and his various speeches gave a huge impact to the people. He got so many people who liked him and cared for him.

In his later life, Yangmaso Shaiza became SDC and SDO of Manipur government and then he even became a Chief Minister. When he became Chief Minister he did so many mentionable works and activities. It is known by all and I would not repeat it again.

Yangmaso Shaiza was a patriot who wanted to bring freedom for Manipur and he was someone who truly loved his motherland.

Today Yangmaso Shaiza is no more with us but our ears can still hear his speech and his work will never be forgotten by us. In the sky of Manipur's politics, the name of Yangmaso Shaiza will always shine like a shining star.

PS: This is taken out from the book , 'Yangmaso Shaiza And His Manipur' - Book release on October 12 2014 by the United All Communities Social Uplifters Kangleipak (UNACSU), in its Third Foundation Day at Amity Hall, Adimjati Siksha Ashram, Imphal

PPS: The original write-up is in Manipuri and is translated into English by Nganthoi Lourembam