Quami Ekta Divas : try something to strengthen the Unity of India
- Imphal Times Editorial :: November 21 2018 -

As a student of History I pay all my respect to Jhanshi Rani for her role in fighting the British Raj.

But May be the BJP has its own agenda in organizing a remembrance function of the brave queen considering the fact that Manipur too is now a part of India.

But I wonder why Manipur BJP fails to remember Leima Linthoingambi, wife of King Ningthoukhomba, who fearlessly defeated the enemy to protect the Kingdom of Kangleipak.

Besides, among the thousand Manipuri ladies, role of Leiphon Chanu who was the right hand of King Herachandra in fighting the Awa during the 7 years devastation should why be left out.

Well every November 19, India observes Quami Ekta Divas as National Integration Day. The day is being observed in remembrance to mark the Birth day of Indira Gandhi, the first lady PM of India.

Indian polity being a multi-party system with countless number of political party, paying respect to the one who belong to a specific political party felt uneasiness to many hard core politicians and political workers who belong to different political party.

May be, it was the rationale behind the reason to pay respect and organize observance of Rani of Jhansi as she had also equally played her role in protecting her Kingdom.

The new ideology needs appreciation, the purpose of celebrating the Quami Ekta Divas is to spread the message that India is still united and will continue to unite in the coming days.

70 years after India regained freedom from British Raj, the Quami Ekta Week is being celebrated cutting across differences of all political parties.

These days programs like meetings, seminars, symposia, particular legendary functions, cultural activities are held to highlight the themes (national integration, secularism, non-violence, linguistic harmony, anti-communalism, cultural unity, development of weaker sections, well being of minorities, issues of woman and conservation) of Quami Ekta Week.

The celebration of the week starts with the National Integration Pledge.

Here comes the argument.

If Quami Ekta Week is all about integrity and also about bringing back the memories of all those ladies who had led, fought and sacrificed for the integrity of the nation called India, why not the brave queens who Leima Linthoingambi among others were equally paid respect.

Besides, everybody knows how Maipakpi played her role in fighting the British soldier during the last Anglo Manipuri war.

It is also learnt that during Quami Ekta Week various programme like seminars, symposia etc. use to be organised.

Why not the content of the National Anthem “Jana Jana Manna....” be discussed as it alienated the erstwhile kingdom of Manipur.

Leaving aside the debate about the song being written and composed to praise the Queen of the British Colonial government.

The National Anthem which is a tool for unity of the nation started from Sind which is now in Pakistan and end at Brahmaputra valley and Himalayan range, at which Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland are never included.

Let this NDA government do something to make sure that the excluded geo-political entity in the National Anthem be included besides recognizing the role of Manipuri Queens and other lady who fought for the protection of their motherland, if they think of people in this region as equal co-partners in the nation building process by making amends to the not so sacrosanct marriage of the parts of the region now called India’s North East at the time of merger to India.