Modi delivers master class in how not to address Manipur

Maqsood Maniyar | NT

Bengaluru: “My heart is filled with pain and anger. The incident in Manipur that has come to light is something that would shame any civilized society. Those who have sinned aside, the whole nation – all 140 crore countrymen – feel ashamed. I would like to request all chief ministers that they strengthen law and order in their states. Especially with regard to the protection of our mothers and sisters, take the strictest measures. Whether the incident is in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Manipur, or in any other part of the country under anyone’s State government, let us rise above our political differences and prioritise law and order and respect for women.”

With this July 20 speech, PM Narendra Modi broke his 78-day silence on the ethnic violence in Manipur but did he?

Spoke of one viral video Modi only addressed a single blurred video from May 4 in Kangpokpi district, which went viral on July 19.

It showed two Kuki women being paraded naked and molested. Modi acted like it was a single case of sexual violence, ignoring similar cases in the same state.

He didn’t even call for peace. The PM also drew false equivalents between Manipur – which is witnessing gendered ethnic violence – and Congressruled states like Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

He didn’t mention any other BJP-ruled state. BJP states fare worst Even if one were to (incorrectly) see it as a case of violence against women, one would find that BJP-ruled states ranked worst.

On July 25, Union Home ministry disclosed state-wise data on crimes against women. Between 2017 and 2021, 1,278 cases of rape and murder of women were registered across 28 states. UP accounted for 218, the highest in the country, followed by Assam at 191, Madhya Pradesh at 166 while Maharashtra finished fourth with 133 cases.

Meanwhile, Congress-ruled Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh – states that Modi mentioned – recorded 39 and 32 such cases.

Biren Singh remains CM! There has been massive anger against BJP’s Manipur CM N Biren Singh who has been asked to step down by his own party’s Kuki MLAs over failure to contain violence.

Singh, a Meitei has proven himself partisan blaming “Kukis”, “people from Myanmar” and “terrorists” for the violence. Modi failed to hold Singh accountable, nor has he laid out a fresh plan to end the violence.

Roots of violence

Manipur is an insurgencyaffected state with the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in place. In the state, the mostly Hindu Meitis make up 53 per cent and are confined to the Imphal valley, which is about 10 per cent of the state’s land.

The mainly Christian Kuki-Zos account for 16 per cent while Naga tribes, also largely Christian, make up 24 per cent but collectively occupy the hills, which is 90 per cent of the state.

On April 20, the Manipur HC asked the State government to include Meitis in the ST list, triggering protests from Kuki-Zo groups.

On May 3, however, it spilled into violence with militant groups and mobs getting involved and at least 153 people have been killed so far.

Internet black-outs impede news

The video shot on May 4 went viral on July 19 because of an internet shut down in Manipur since May 3, which the State government claims will keep the rumour mill in check.

Instead, it has made relay of important information difficult. In fact, India leads the world with 84 internet shut-downs in 2022. Jammu and Kashmir was the worst hit accounting for 85 of the 106 internet black-outs in 2021 alone.