'We will face legal suit' Let there be academic freedom : PPCM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 28 2016:
The Protection and Preservation Committee Manipur (PPCM) has categorically stated that the ultimatum served by DESAM to three Editors of a book to come out with a clarification within 10 days for allegedly misleading the public on the demand for Scheduled Tribe status is something uncalled for.
The matter for which DESAM has been seeking clarification is already in the public domain.
The same matter was also reiterated several times by PPCM and other organisations.
Whether the retired military personnel have been leading the public on the right path or otherwise should be analysed minutely and the exercise should be treated as an academic debate, said a press release issued by PPCM.
Maintaining that the right to education is more important than the right to life, DESAM walked out of the Apunba Lup saying that they would not take part in the mass movement against AFSPA which was raging in the State in the aftermath of the killing of Rabina and Sanjit in 2009.DESAM, being a student organisation, might not have complete knowledge of the changes in State policies which were effected after 2009 which are aimed at suppression of militarisation and insurgency.
Teachers who have been researching the undercurrents of politics may express their opinions on the rightfulness or wrongfulness of socio-political activities witnessed in a society, PPCM asserted.
If their opinions and observations turn out to be unacceptable, one can always give a counter-argument but teachers should be given academic freedom.
Even as the DESAM's ultimatum of 10 days is yet to expire, the Schedule Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) came up with some strong statements and they even threatened to file a legal suit.
All these days, PPCM has been keeping quiet as any conflict among Meiteis/ Meeteis would not paint a desirable picture at this juncture where there is a big misunderstanding between hill people and plain people.
PPCM affirms the position of the Centre for Manipur Studies, Manipur University that they were facilitating intellectuals of Manipur to exercise their academic freedom.
If the STDCM is determined to drag the three Editors to Court, PPCM would fight back on behalf of them.
A lengthy memorandum negating the demand for ST status for Meiteis/Meeteis has been already submitted to the Government and it would be uploaded on relevant websites shortly, it added.