Rishang Keishing : The Grand Old Man of Indian Politics
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: May 16, 2012 -

Rishang Keishing :: Pix - TSE

From a little known remote village called Bungpa Khunou in Ukhrul district of Manipur to the hot seat of Parliament, and then being felicitated as the only sitting member of the first Lok Sabha, who still remains a member of Parliament after six decades on the occasion of 60th anniversary of Indian Parliament, it is indeed an incredible journey and a rare distinction no other politicians of the present lot of 'Aya Ram, Gaya Ram' could aspire to attain in their 'entire' political career that may span across two or three terms at the maximum, if they are lucky.

That shows how illustrious is the political career of 92-year-old Rishang Keishing, the Grand Old Man of Indian Politics.

In less than ten minutes, the man from Bungpa Khunou also achieved something rest of members who spoke at length during the entire proceeding of Rajya Sabha on May 13 could not manage in spite of their wisdom and oratory skills.

Every words that came out from the mouth of Rishang Keishing, which speaks of his vast experiences in Indian politics, was appreciated with resounding thumping of the desks by all the members.

It was the kind of reception any publicity crazy politician of the present day would die for. Unfortunately, such reception is reserved for a man of character and conviction like our Rishang Keishing only.

Born to late Rungdi Keishing and late Mungshingla Keishing on October 25, 1920 at Bungpa Khunou of Ukhrul district in Manipur, 92-year old Rishang Keishing is better known as a Congressman although he entered into politics and got elected to the first and third Lok Sabha as a member of Socialist Party of India.

It is interesting how Rishang became a Congressman after remaining faithful to the Socialist Party of India, which had first stirred up political consciousness in his heart.

It is said that in 1964, the then leader of Socialist Party in Parliament Raj Narain issued a call to all the party MPs for disrupting the joint address of the Parliament sitting by President S Radhakrishnan for not speaking in Hindi.

Although rest of the party MPs agreed, Rishang, who strongly felt Hindi should not be forced on anyone, resented. Around that Chinese aggression was also at its peak making Border States like Manipur even more vulnerable and Rishang felt that they would be better protected by a National party.

Accordingly, the man from Bungpa Khullen met the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at the latter's office and expressed his desire to join the Congress. Understanding the spirit of the man, Nehru immediately called his Parliamentary Affairs Minister and enrolled Rishang as a Congress associate member on the spot.

From that day, Rishang became a true Congressman, even truer than any other so much so that when rest of the Congress MLAs defected to join the coalition government headed by Samata Party leader Radhabinod Koijam in 2001, he remained the lone custodian of the party in the State Assembly.

Can we find MLAs of such conviction today? It is a futile question to ask, because the answer is known to everyone.