Irabot Foundation revisits Chinga Session
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 30 2014: The Irabot Foundation Manipur today observed the 75th anniversary of the Chinga Session at Manipur Press Club as the day which determined the political outlook of a new Manipur.

Nikhil Hindu Manipuri Mahasabha's flag embossed with Chenglei Pakhangba was also exhibited at the anniversary function.

It is said that the flag was the one hoisted by Lamyanba Irabot at the historic Chinga Session of 1938.The flag would be handed over to the Manipur State Archives.

Speaking at the gathering, Prof Naorem Joykumar of History Department, Manipur University said that no identity issue can be studied in isolation from the existing political environment.

The Nupi Lans of 1904 and 1939 were epoch-making events.

After the advent of British colonialism in 1891, Manipur was put on a new political trajectory.

The ancient kingdom soon underwent many changes in political, economic and cultural spheres.

Although womenfolk of the period were not literate, they studied the changing socio-political environment with keen eyes.

Revolution does not necessarily mean armed struggle only.

There were/are many unarmed revolutionary movements.

The prevailing situation demands revolution in order to protect Manipuri Nation, Prof Joykumar said.

Studying history of a Nation means studying the past events of the Nation.

Without understanding the past, the present generation cannot decide their future political destination.

The historic Chinga Session gave birth to a new political ideology with regard to the future of Manipur, Prof Joykumar said.

Committee on Human Rights (COHR) chairman Phulindro Konsam opined that Hijam Irabot's movement and conceptual struggle can be studied from two perspectives.

Notwithstanding the strong wave of Hinduism and the associated notion of purity and impurity which gripped Manipur at the height of British colonialism, Irabot worked relentlessly for unification of all Manipuri people settled inside Manipur and beyond.

There is a responsible Government in the State today but it remains highly questionable whether there is any Government in Manipur based on ideology, Phulindro said.

Comment