Social ethos of Manipur degenerated: RPF
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 28 2015 : In the name of people's welfare, the "Indian State" has been following a Neo-liberal policy where a few capitalists decide the fate of the vast majority, accused Irengbam Chaoren, president of the banned Revolutionary People's Party (RPF) and added that through this Neo-liberal policy, the Indian State and their products have completely dominated and overwhelmed the markets of Manipur which was once self-reliant.

On February 25, in a message to the people on the occasion of 36th foundation day of RPF, Chaoren also charged that in the name of development programmes which are based on the fundamental concepts of capitalism, the Indian State has been employing all available means to suppress the liberation movement of Manipur.

After re-defining Look East Policy as Act East Policy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been bargaining with the neighbouring countries of WESEA to help the Indian State suppress the revolutionary movements of WESEA in exchange for economic benefits, trade and commerce, he alleged and said, "Our people must be on guard against this new policy of India's BJP Government" .

"We can also see different aspects of cultural subjugation by the Indian State with the help of its military might.

India had the intention to colonise Manipur, Assam, Tripura and other ancient kingdoms of the region since the very early period.

India has been following different policies of cultural hegemony since the 18th century.

And today, these policies of cultural hegemony are being used as powerful tools for consolidating and sustaining their colonial rule in WESEA.

This cultural invasion needs serious introspection and analysis," he said.

He said in view of the changing socio-political and economic scenario across the planet, the society must evolve and adapt with a vision for the future, maintaining that one dimension of social evolution which demands extra attention is 'identity' .

"Our people must devise a collective defence mechanism from the all-pervasive onslaught of globalization otherwise our nation would be condemned to doom.

We must enhance our productivity (both agricul-tural and industrial), make our markets more vibrant and dynamic, and build a strong economic founda-tion," Chaoren added.

He added, "Our people are being compelled to look up to the Indian people and their cultural practices as role model while all our economic activities have been made dependent on the Indian State's planning.

This has a direct bearing on our identity.

In addition to limitations associated with small territorial size, limited resources, small population, disunity, underdevelopment and poverty, our society is now being besieged by social and cultural imperialism" .

The RPF president continued that social ethos of Manipuri people who were once known for their profound love for dignity and self-respect has degenerated to such an extent that many people are unashamed to plead, beg and play sycophancy for some material benefits.

He also said that by dismantling traditional value systems which were rooted in lofty ideals, a large section of our people have re-invented themselves as copy-cats blindly emulating foreign (Indian) culture and traditions which are not at all suitable to the soil of Manipur.

"They have no time to ponder over the fading culture, tradition and identity of the nation" .

Manipuri people who once lived as a proud, independent nation are being governed by outsiders and we are tamely following their diktats as if we are born slaves, he said, adding it is simply ridiculous that many think unfurling the Indian flag at the sacred Kangla would bring about greater rewards from the colonial masters.

Chaoren said it's not the time to keep the nation which has a proud, unbroken written history of more than 2000 years divided and polarized on ethnic lines and urged that rather than separating the nation under the generic terms 'Naga', 'Kuki', 'Meitei' and 'Meitei Pangals', it's time to mould a collective identity of a unified Manipur.

He maintained that unity and only unity among the indigenous people can "secure us and our future" from the doom which is lurking quite distinctly on the horizon of our socio-economic and political landscape.

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