CorCom greets on International Women's Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 07 2025: Acknowledging the cultural, social, economic and political contributions of womenfolk in the history of mankind, the CorCom has greeted all the womenfolk of Manipur on the occasion of International Women's Day.

The theme for this year's International Women's Day is 'Accelerate Action'.

Accelerate Action implies accelerating all measures which are designed to bring gender equality, the CorCom said in a statement.

It said that it is essential to study how relevant is this year's theme of International Women's Day to the status of women in Manipur.

There are numerous cases of suppression of women in contemporary Manipur.

Moreover, men in powerful and influential positions have been conspiring continuously to destroy the unity of womenfolk.

Government/political leaders have destroyed the spirit of fighting all critical issues of the Nation collectively that existed among Manipuri women, the CorCom remarked.

These political leaders have entrapped many women and created conflicts between groups of women, it said.

These political leaders have been using women in protecting their personal life and private properties, it said.

Whereas the International Women's Day started taking a shape in Europe in 1908, women in Manipur (Kangleipak) against the British colonial rulers in 1904 (First Nupi Lan).

This was followed by the Second Nupi Lan in 1939 against the British rulers and the king who was then fully controlled by the colonial rulers, the CorCom said.

It said that the most important women's movement is the Meira Paibi movement which started in 1980 .

Both the two Nupi Lans and the ongoing Meira Paibi movement are Manipuri women's struggles against colonial rule, it said.

Unlike women's movements seen in other parts of the world, securing women's rights and ensuring gender equality are secondary objectives of the movements seen in Manipur.

The primary focus in Manipur is fighting the alien rule, the CorCom remarked.

It questioned whether the fundamental rights have any meaning in a colonised Nation.

A large number of women have been raped and killed in Manipur.

Meanwhile, the number of half widows (women whose husbands have not returned) has been growing in the State since 1980, it said.

The growth of half widows is witnessed in the ongoing proxy war too which broke out on May 3, 2023 .

Internal colonialism is a new form of colonialism.

A Nation under internal colonialism appears to be free and its people seem to be granted many rights but these rights are meaningless.

Again elections are held periodically but these elections are not true elections.

Although the Government is portrayed as a popular Government, it is a fascist Government, it alleged.

After creating all kinds of divisions and conflicts among the people, the alleged fascist Government has been oppressing the womenfolk who come out to fight the resulting issues, it said.

Observing International Women's Day may be a sort of celebration in Europe and America but it is a part of the women's struggle against the oppressive regime in Manipur, the CorCom asserted.

Women are offered money and coaxed to participate in the election held under the cloak of democracy and thereby creates a culture of earning easy money instead of earning money through sweat and labour, it said.

Freedom and equality are said to be cornerstones of democracy but there is neither freedom nor equality in Indian democracy.

Colonialism is the soul and fascism is the body of the Indian Government, it alleged.

On account of the protracted stage-managed violence which has been transformed into a communal conflict, womenfolk are protesting on the streets and keeping vigil at peripheral areas day and night.

The prevailing situation has dismantled the market economy which is the backbone of the State's economy.

Around 10,000 hectares of paddy fields have been left uncultivated on account of the violence while the Government of India has been watching silently even as roads and highways are being blocked for such a long period.

The situation has given a crippling blow to the womenfolk, particularly those belonging to poor families, the CorCom remarked.

Pledging that the CorCom will continue to fight all the challenges in order to free the Manipuri womenfolk from oppression, harassment and protect their rights, it asserted that the Manipuri women must continue with their struggle.

It then called upon all sections of the society to fight collectively with a firm determination for the freedom of womenfolk.

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