Remembering Jananeta
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: September 30, 2014 -

117th Birth Anniversary of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot at Palace Compound on September 30 2013 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

September 30 is a red-letter day for the people of Manipur. Every year on this day the Manipuris in Manipur and beyond pay tribute to ‘Jananeta’ Hijam Irabot on his birth anniversary.

It is not just the celebration of the birth anniversary of this great leader of Manipur, but it is also the day the Manipuris all across the globe pledge to carry forward the works pioneered by him.

Indeed, Irabot was a true people’s leader who was the champion and pioneer in so many different fields - politics, art, culture, sports, journalism, literature, social reformation etc.

Born to Hijam Ibungohal and Thambalngambi of Pishumthong Oinam Leikai on September 30, 1896, Irabot also known as ‘Lamyaanba’ became active in students’ movement and was the guiding founder of the Bal Sangha, Scout and Chhatra Sanmeloni while he was still in the Johnstone School, Imphal.

He had also edited a handwritten magazine called ‘Meitei Chanu’ and later started a weekly journal named ‘Anouba Jug’ from April 13, 1947.

Irabot also served as the General Secretary of Manipur Sahitya Parishad for two terms in 1937 and 1938.

He was a versatile actor and he acted in many dramatic performances during the early parts of the 1930s.

He was also one of the founder members of Manipur Sports Association. ‘Jananeta’ was later appointed as a member of Sadar Panchayat Court by Maharaja Churachand.

However, he never encouraged bribery and corruption. He looked into a kind of justice mostly in favour of the downtrodden and the poor peasants of the society.

He was against the autocratic rule of the monarch under the shadow of the British. He used his position in order to come closer to the people, study their problems and organize them.

He was strongly against the unlawful impositions and also expressed his robust opposition to the atrocities meted out to the people by the Brahma Sabha.

Irabot started his first mass campaign for the socio-economic uplift of the people and the result was the formation of the Nikhil Hindu Manipuri Mahasabha, mobilizing all the Manipuris inside and outside the state.

The first session of the Mahasabha was held on May 30, 1934 at Imphal.

In the fourth session of the Mahasabha, held on December 30, 1938 at the Chinga Hill Maidan, Irabot was appointed as its President. In his Presidential speech, he proposed to abolish the Manipur State Darbar and introduce electoral system in Manipur.

The Manipur State Darbar subsequently declared the Mahasabha an illegal political party on February 15, 1939.

Irabot then started to advocate an open rebellion against the high officials of the State Administration after his resignation from the Sadar Panchayat membership on March 17, 1939.

During his imprisonment in the Sylhet jail, he came across with many of the Congress and Communist leaders.

He was very much influenced by the communist ideology and became an ardent believer in Marxism-Leninism.

He dedicated his whole life for the welfare of the oppressed and downtrodden people.

Despite being a close relative of the Royal family, Irabot openly revolted against the misgovernance of the King.

He left his comfortable life and spent hard days in the jungles just for the sake of the people.

He was a great revolutionary leader who had reformed the Manipuri society significantly.

His anniversary should enliven his courage and die-hard spirit among the Manipuris everywhere on this globe.