Hijam Irabot used All India Radio in mobilising fellow Manipuri in 1944
for protection of the Motherland when in exile in May 1944
Source: IT News
Imphal, September 30 2020:
People across the state including those Manipuris inhabited outside the state of Manipur particularly in any parts of Assam still remember the pioneer leader Lamyanba Hijam Irabot for his love and essence of patriotism for his nation and today realising the sacrificial spirit of this leader even the state government today observed his 124 Birth Anniversary.
Interestingly, Hijam Irabot, perhaps is the first Manipuri to use even electronic media (AIR) to reach out to his fellow Manipuri for protection of the people and its land from the intrusion by fascist force during 2nd world war using the British broadcasting unit.
It was in May 17 , 1944, when he was prohibited from entering the erstwhile kingdom of Manipur and when the British which was at that time, predominantly administering the Manipur had treated him as leader of anti -colonialist regime as well as the oppressed regime under the king of Manipur.
When the Japanese started intruding parts of Manipur , Hijam Irabot had completed his jail term and had been released from the Sylhet jiail on March 20, 1943 .
However, he was not permitted to enter Manipur and so stayed in Cachar and continued his political movement.
While, Hijam Irabot's movement was for bringing equality in the society free from oppressed regime by electing a peoples' government which at that time was against the than Monarch of the erstwhile kingdom, he knows the consequences if the Japanese fascist regime intruded the kingdom.
That was the time he wrote his famous song "Sharpen the edge of the sickle oh farmers".
Communist leader Himango Biswas reportedly help him writing and singing it as a song when they were in Sylhet jail.
According to report from the National Archive of India , Hijam Irabot had utilised the British own Radio broadcasting unit to reach out to his fellow Manipuri urging them to prepare for protection of the land from the hand of Japanese fascist troop.
According to Charles Barn, an official of the Department of Information and Broadcasting , British India, a news item was broadcasted on May 17 , 1944 after approval from the Calcutta office.
Charles Barn wrote the broadcasted material as - " Mr.Irawat Singh, leader of the Manipu Praja Mandal has appealed to leaders all over India to close their ranks and units.
In a statement issued in Dibrugarh, he also says , " To all Manipuris , my message is 'let not a single should help the Japanese in any way.
Ruthlessly we have to crush the enemy the enemy who comes to destroy our peaceful home, and shackle us with chains of Fascist slavery.
Let the Hills of Manipuri resound to the call of her people..the Fascist shall not passed" .
Many of the authority of the Department of the Information and Broadcasting had been questioned by the higher authority of the British regime for allowing him to use the AIR.
Lamyanba Hijam Irabot is highly advance Manipuri leader who sees and think 200 years ahead of his generation.
During his time he used all diplomacy to protect his people.
He used the most advanced technology to mobilised his people.
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