Things that the corrupted politicians who lack social and administrative policy can learn from Yangmaso Shaiza

Brojendro Ningomba *

Yangmaso Shaiza was an employee of the government of Manipur. He was a B.D.O. When he was a B.D.O. he was very friendly, generous, very helpful and an honest government employee who never accepted corruption. He was acknowledged by the Meeteis and also very close to them. He never had bias judgement to any communities; be it Tangkhul, Naga, Meitei or Kuki communities and passionately welcomed everyone.

He was a man who possessed good qualities which we could not even earn. There might be various reasons for him to quit the government job and joined politics; thinking to uplift the society may one of the reasons. It is also possible that people might have asked him to join politics as he is agreed by all.

In the late 1970, when a faction of Naga insurgents, using all their available resources created communal barrier between Naga-Meitei communities, Hills and valley regions by conducting various communal bashing and divisive activities based on violence. Thinking that some puppetry politicians of that faction of insurgent group would represent an identity of Naga or Tangkhul community and create a political backlash and to stop it Yangmaso might have decided to join politics.

I can assure that his ideology of joining politics is not similar to those politicians of the present time who don't know what to do after winning election. It is clear that Yangmaso didn't join politics to earn property by bad means neither to enjoy the pleasure of being escorted nor to show off in front of the people. If he had the unfair thoughts his life wouldn't have ended in the bullet of those Satans who do devil works in the name of Christ.

Before his assassination on Jan 30, 1948 Yangmaso knew there was a big threat in his life. But he didn't take up any action to tighten up the security. That was a big example of him being a great man. It could be said that he was like Mahatma Gandhi. Even Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on Jan 30. Even our leader (Yangmaso) was assassinated on Jan 30. It is indeed a surprising coincidence. Gandhi also knew that the Hindu fundamentalists were upset with him. But he didn't bother to take up any action.

As informed to me by a veteran media person, at first Yangmaso became a winning candidate of Ukhrul constituency through the newly formed Manipur Hill Union party. During the reign of Janata party government led by Moraji Desai in 1977, Yangmaso Shaiza's sister-in-law, Rano Shaiza became an elected MP. Under her influence and support from others the ruling government led by RK Dorendro was toppled and then Yangmaso became Chief Minister.

As Janata party failed in the next election, Congress became the ruling government. On the sad morning of Jan 30, 1984 when the sky of Manipur was covered with dark cloud of winter at his residence located at Dullalel. Yangmaso was brutally shot dead by some Naga insurgents. When people heard the news of Yangmaso's death, the dark sky of winter became darker with their sorrow. Before he was assassinated Yangmaso along with Manipur People's Party was working very hard for a united Manipur.

After Yangmaso's death, his wife, Hangmila Shaiza became the first woman member of Manipur Legislative Assembly after winning the bi-election of Ukhrul constituency. People of Manipur are now having pleasure of all the good works and initiatives taken up by Yangmaso during his reign as Chief Minister of Manipur. Under his initiative, the education system of Manipur was boosted up - many schools and colleges of that time were converted into government's institutes.

At that time there used to be big celebration of Saraswati Puja in schools. And the celebration is closely related to religion and celebrating such religious ceremony is against the secularism of the Indian constitution and further observing of Saraswati ceremony in schools and colleges was stopped. This act was an example of Yangmaso Shaiza's high belief of secularism. And his contribution towards the Manipur society for preserving Meitei Mayek and Meitei language is tremendous.

Today, Meitei Mayek is being taught till the high school level and it is possible that Yangmaso during his tenure as Chief Minister, all the 27 Meitei Mayek (font) was approved in the recognised gazette. There was Yangmaso Shaiza's big support regarding the inclusion of Manipuri language in the eighth schedule.

During the issue of Lainingthou Sanamahi In 1978 when Meitei highly demanded to take the idol of Lainingthou which was first kept at the residence of a Brahman at Keishamthong Moirangningthou and presently residing at a holy place, Hayingkhongbal in 1st MR ground, Yangmaso knew that the idol is the lord of Meitei and gave it to them to worship. This was also an inspiring part of Manipur history. Two people died during the incident.

These were all Yangmaso's acts of having clear vision, different thought, honesty and no bias judgement between communities. All his works could never be done by any Meiteis or Meitei leaders. The Meitei leaders who were present at that time couldn't do anything. Even if they thought to take up any initiatives they feared if it would make them look lunatic or they were confused if they would lose in elections and so they couldn't do anything.

Thus Yangmaso Shaiza did what Meitei leaders could not do. From all these we know that he was an honest man, who follows rules and regulations, who has integrity and principal, who thinks of a united Manipur, someone who sacrificed his life for Manipur and a great martyr. And I wish that he shall be addressed as Father of Modern Manipur or Father of Manipur Unity.

He was sent by the creator as a prophet to unite the hill and valley of Manipur. Most of the prophets face big difficulties and die in the hands of Satan. Like that our leader Yangmaso Shaiza died in the hands of evil. It's clear that if Yangmaso Shaiza was alive for a long time, he would cause trouble in the communal, divisive, isolationist and terrorist designs and hence he was killed.

If he is amongst us today I don't believe there would be any demand of alternative arrangement to give a reason for economic blockade which is happening quite often in the society. Definitely he would try to eliminate it. If there had been any objection he would try to control all the concerned authorities with all his efforts as a leader for a united society. Since there are no leaders like him among us today the numbers of separatists and isolationists have increased.

There are lots that the politicians, legislatures and leaders of the present could learn from Yangmaso Shaiza. Qualities possessed by Yangmaso Shaiza; his honesty, no to corruption, good thought, no bias judgement, against favouritism and nepotism, no division of communities, quality to treat everyone equally, to complete works that he could do without waiting for any one's help, no pride feeling, the ability to sacrifice for the welfare of people, no reversal even if threatened to be killed and devoted nature – if a little part of his qualities could be possessed by the leaders of the current society.

To pledge honour to Yangmaso for his contributions towards the society of Manipur, it would be nice if UNACSO along with all the civil society organisations would observe a day - whether his birth or death anniversary to show him respect and gratitude.

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