Drama in real life
- Imphal Times Editorial :: February 08 2017 -

Candidates of different political parties had geared up its poll campaign after the announcement of candidate lists by the respective political parties.

With just a nearly a month to go for poll people across the state have now been completely driven into illusion of the largest festival of democracy.

Ironically, the prolonged economic blockade called by UNC, the fury of the JCILPS volunteers at various stages and the unsettled dispute to the introduction of a legislation to protect the indigenous people of the state will as well as other demands for the cause of the nation will be now put to complete silence.

Leave aside the demands or the differences, when matters which give direct impact to the common people who live on hand to mouth, when children are being forced to stay home without attending school, when government servant are barred from attending their offices due to the action of some groups placing demands to the government, then such thing is a serious matter.

But people will make no differences. Majority will now be intoxicated with election fever.

The prolonged social tensions and manifestations of discontents have taken various shades and hues with the course of time.

What is becoming more apparent with each passing day is not the clarity for the expressed demands, but for the implications of such agitations.

The increasing rigidity of the stances of the opposing parties has increased the necessity for an effective and speedy intervention.

The ruling party in the state however, having found themselves caught in the middle as always, has started the process of implementing its tried and tested formula of dumping the whole issue with the centre, or at least making it seem like so.

Meanwhile, the adamancy of the extremists in sticking to their ends of the issue has elevated the present imbroglio up another notch in complexity.

But for all the wise talks and fervent campaigns, the very fact remains that political boundaries and areas are never constant, and can be changed.

Separation of East Timor from Indonesian occupation and, closer home, formation of Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh drives home the point.

What is also an undeniable fact is that these separations have been at huge costs to lives and properties.

Choosing to ignore the fact would be living in self denial and will eventually cost us more than we can afford to lose.

There still is, however, a faint ray of hope for the beleaguered people of the state.

History bears witness to the fact that the people of the state have endured unimaginable sufferings and extreme torments in the hands of the neighbouring Burmese invaders.

That the very reason for the survival and continued existence of the people of the state irrespective of their community, customs, language or beliefs was the cooperation, support and solace extended and exchanged during the darkest days without the consideration for caste or creed.

Are we ready to discard the very attribute which ensured the collective survival of our varied communities and cultures in the most trying of times?

The history of Manipur is one which is made up of the myriad cultures and customs being practiced in various forms and regions.

It would indeed be a great insult to our forefathers in whose name we are preparing to take up the cudgel, if we are to part ways for the sake of our different cultures and customs.

But if ever things have to come to such a pass, the prospect of bidding loving farewell is a distant dream.

For those who are hatching the plots, there is more to life than a few acres of land or a few thousands worth of freebies.

Who knows, the rest of the world might even leave their countries with us for more prospective planets while we are still drawing and redrawing our claims.