27th Anniversary of Pangal's Black Day

May 03 2020

Today marks the 27th anniversary of one of the most tragic days in the history of Manipuris in general and Manipur Muslims (henceforth Pangals) in particular. The day is observed annually as the darkest day in the history of Pangals. On this day i.e on 3rd May and the next i.e 4th May of 1993, more than 110 Pangals were massacred . Victims of that heinous act included children, pregnant women and many helpless labourers.

In the aftermath, in addition to the fear and ravages felt by bereaved family members, Pangals, at large, have had discernible psychological trauma with feelings of distrust, insecurity and helplessness. Many started fleeing from their villages as they no longer felt secured staying there. Many were turned into destitutes in their own homeland.

Certainly, many have changed their livelihood in the hope they would be secured in their economic, social and cultural life. What is more disheartening regarding the incident was evidences of police personnels being involved in abetting the situation despite which not a single FIR had been lodged and even as of now,27 years later,not a single gesture of apology and remorse being shown to Pangals either from the state or the majority community.

27 years have passed. Nonetheless, not even an ounce of justice has been delivered either from both of the main culprits i.e the majority community or the state government to the bereaved families. Is this because Pangals have been unable to represent proportionately in the state machinery? Or is it the way it should be for being a minority? Well it isn't, this is nothing but a clear hysterical manifestation from the majority community of their historical prejudices and chauvinistic determinism of "us" and "them".

Still this state of hysteria perpetuates in the form of subjecting Pangals to many stereotypical labels like-pangals are parsimonious, they tend to produce more offsprings, they are thieves, drug peddlers, they hide Rohingyas among them, etc and commiting in successive lynchings of Pangals. These prejudices and stereotypes are well used by the media and the so called Meitei intelligentsia and to help project Pangals as a degraded community who aren't fit to be on equal status with them. This is the highest form of manufacturing hatred which is,no doubt,the first steps of any genocide wherever recorded.

Incidents like the killing of Md Farooque Ahmed at Tharoijam by a mob were a clear manifestation of the structurally engineered hatred brought about by the stereotypical mindset which has been projecting Pangals as the degraded netizens of Manipur. Similarly,in the killing of SM Manjur inside the police custody , it was also shown that Pangals, being a degraded community, can be used as a scapegoat in concealing state incompatibility and incompetency.

Not only these, there were many incidents which have not been properly addressed. The occurences of these incidents,occasionally or not, put a fear in the minds of Pangals that history might be repeated any time. This fear and anxiety will always be the stumbling block in unity and integrity of the state.

The slogans of - "unity and integrity" or "ching tam ema amatagi machani" that we often hear of would have no meaning if we do not have the emotional tie up bonds first. Needless to say, if the majority community continue to fail to retrospect and sort out what possibly could have gone wrong and try to affix the schisms with a gesture as simple as saying "sorry" or showing some remorse, then all their slogans or progressive sayings are no less than a facade, hollow sayings or slogans. Unity would only be brought about with respect and tolerance. However relating to the contextual realities,unity and integrity which they pretend to be dreaming, has been far from its actuality. On this day, we, Delhi Association of Manipur Muslim Students (DAMMS) bring up the same age old demands with the hope that one day our voice will also be heard if not now-
o Constitute an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) and ensure all the perpetrators are made public with their deserved punishment.
o State should give actual compensation to the bereaved family members and all those destitutes brought about by the incident.
o The majority community should make a public apology to the Pangals at large and ensure similar incidents will not happen again.

As the holy month of Ramadan is with us, we would like to appeal to everyone to remember the names of the victims of the horrific incident in their prayers. May Allah (swa) bless them to the highest place in heaven.

Lastly, all the progressive minds and organizations must join hands in fighting the injustice brought about by subjugation and oppression of any kind and ensuring ourselves that history of the same kind does not repeat anywhere and anytime in the future.

(DAMMS)
Delhi Association of Manipur Muslim Students