We as a society will be judged by TIME itself

Chingangbam Gulshan *

We all know what's happening in Manipur is a natural and inevitable fall-out of a historical and cultural blunder. Its root is not 2001 nor 1948 nor 1891 nor 1709 but dates back to a couple or more centuries ago when we Meiteis got bedazzled by the influx and charm of other people's hymns and practices.

The social fabric got skewed. A foreign and inhuman practice called \'untouchability\' dissolved into the mindsets of the newly syncretised lot that it carried on for generations.

'Mera Thanmei' became namesake. We compromised our own bimillenial-strong faith and fraternity, blinded by the love for someone else's forefather's texts.

Our brothers and sisters of the hills had gone through such ages of disrespect for no apparent reason but difference in religion. The 'Momoko Incident' is a raw, isolated and unwelcome one. It can be considered as a ventilation of all the outrages that had built upon in all these years.

"People who look down on other people don't end up being looked up to. " Manipur can be regarded as 'a nation in a nation' with all the required ingredients except UNITY.

We always need an empathetic approach towards life.

Let us examine the mainland Indian calling the north-easterners 'Chinky', 'Nepali', 'Watchman', 'Junglee' and the list goes on. What do we expect when we call the people we live together with by derogatory and sentimental names? (We all know what the word is. Please [shift+del] from our vocabulary)

It is heart-warming to see all the people stand up for justice. However, the motive behind is all out and clear.

And the platform is not suitable.

No doubt, an atmosphere of jealousy, mistrust and rift has been created between the hills and the plain.

Shouldn't we all close our eyes for a moment and think how we as a society will be judged by TIME itself?

We are in a total state of confusion. We cannot distinguish between pride and chauvinism, we follow two religions at the same time(should be in Ripley's), our priorities are haywired, and we spend 6 months protesting and the left-over 6 in queues.

The message has been sent and received. The government should be sensible enough to not just handle the situation but also to come up with a 'one-size fits all' solution by utilising the minds with the best hearts among the think-tanks of Manipur.

The government does not have to lose a single penny and everyone is happy.

Merry Christmas!!!