We notice among the Hindutva propagandists great haste in re-writing history, proclaiming that British historians were biased. There is too little recognition that the history of the dominant community in India can also be biased against the minorities and weaker groups. As the fads and fanaticism of a small band of wandering central Asians called Aryans who made their way into India was imposed on the whole subcontinent because of their military ascendency, today biases and prejudices of the Hindi belt are being imposed on the people of the South and East.

The Dravidian cultural movements of the South made their voice heard. The Mongoloids of the East have still to raise their voice. Manipur will feel understood only when their identity, culture and traditions will meet with recognition and respect.

Meitei Culture

Historian Romila Thapar was one of those who asked for more attention to be given beyond the Gangetic plains, to the dynasties of the South and achievements of the East. She was pushed aside. Jawaharlal Nehru University called for the recognition of marginal groups and their contribution to Indian thought and civilization. Their voices were silenced.

Late Naorem Sanajaoba, a former professor of Guwahati University, in a two-volume publication edited by him with the name “Manipur, Past and Present” (Mittal Publications, Delhi, 1988) contended that while a Sanskritization process was gathering momentum everywhere, the Mongolian role in Indian history had remained unrecognised (Sanajaoba ii). He was referring specially to his own Meitei culture which emphasizes humanistic values, much in tune with the core principles of Universal Human Rights (Sanajaoba iii).

Mongolian Contribution

Reputed historian Suniti Kumar Chatterjee had pointed out much earlier, that there never has been an adequate appreciation of Mongolian or Sino-Tibetan elements in the Indian culture (Sanajaoba v). Aryan accounts being “ethnocentric” have been negative with regard to the Mongolian contribution. Chatterjee considered the pre-Aryan culture far superior (Sanajaoba vi).

In fact, historians have identified the Harappan civilization in the West and Pataliputra civilization (of the Mongoloids) a thousand years later in the East, as urban, commercially dynamic, technically progressive, and philosophically open. The Aryans of the same era were humble pastoralists, living in villages and forest clearings. Chatterjee thought that Indian history should be rewritten, giving a rightful presentation of Mongoloids (Sanajaoba x).

Gangmumei Kabui describes how the Meiteis yielded to the Sankritization process in the 18^th century to win respectability in a wider Hindu world. Manipuri royal family initiated the process, as they sought the recognition of other Hindu royal families in India. They converted themselves to Hinduism and submitted themselves to the Brahmins, who in turn “concocted royal geneology” linking them with Mahabharata and other Epic heroes (Sanajaoba 4).

Sanajaoba laments that unhelpful decision. For the average Manipuri it was the beginning of many negative experiences. As Manipur’s contact with mainland India increased, resentment grew against arrogant Indian officers and exploiting business men. “To the Manipuris, the brown Sahibs (Indians) are far more tyrannical and disgusting than the genuine Sahibs” (the British) who had a civilized code (Sanajaoba 261).

‘Ultra-Ethnocentrism’ of the Aryans

Sanajaoba says, the Manipuris have to face an attitude of contempt for their Mongolian identity, as Aryan (upper caste) ethnocentrism projects Mongolians as barbarians. He repeats, “Aryan disinformation” has victimized the Mongolians (Sanajaoba 270-71). He expresses his profound grief again, “Unfortunately Indian history had been rendered to be excessively ethnocentric”, in consequence “the Mongoloids had been nearly submerged in the quicksand of time”! (Sanajaoba Vol II, 15).

Sanajaoba even goes to the extent of alleging that Aryan “ultra-ethnocentrism” in India was of Nazi levels (Sanajaoba 275).  These remarks may sound racist, but I refer to them only to explain what victims of ethnic prejudices (racism) can feel when humiliated. This resentment deepens in Manipur today when slighted by Delhi.

The Kuki-Zo tribal people can be proud of their patrimony, culture and value system. What the Brahminic historical accounts deliberately omit is the fact that all of Eastern India from Bihar to the Northeast was once occupied by Mongolian and Austro-Asiatic tribal people until they were crushed by the advancing Aryan hordes and absorbed into their society as Dalits.

It is hardly ever mentioned that Buddha and Mahavira were of tribal origin. Buddha came from the Sakya clan who lived on the lower Himalayas. Ashoka belonged to the Moriya community (Maurya) and certainly had tribal blood in him. His edicts read like a proclamation of tribal ethics: concern and respect for others. The Kalingas whom he conquered were tribals. He repented. We wish that the present Delhi rulers would repent for mishandling the concerns of the tribal people of Manipur.

The social order and political system prevalent among the tribes of Buddha’s time had so many similarities with those of the present day North-East. All records show that there was a general sense equality among the members of the tribal communities. The so called ‘rajas’ in Brahminic records were tribal chiefs who ruled their community in consultation with his council, whose members were chosen by the people.

Among the Lichchavis, every member of the tribe was like a king, says Kautilya, respected in community as in today’s tribal society. They had a governing body of 7,707 representatives according to Ramashankar Tripathi. Assembly discussions concluded with ‘consensus’, not mere majority. The elected leader exercised authority over his people using his ‘persuasive powers’. Legal disputes followed ‘maxims’ or precedents, notices H. W. Schumann, which really meant tribal tradition.

Surviving Tribal Communities

With the advance of Aryans up to Bengal, tribes were defeated and absorbed, or made to withdraw to Nepal or Chota Nagpur. The only areas where those precious tribal traditions have survived till today are the states of the North-East and a few areas of Central India. What is happening in Manipur is the last struggle of surviving tribal communities which is under severe threat from the dominant community in our country. This unfairness has the full encouragement of a partisan majoritarian Government. Biren Singh remains in power with the backing of the PM and the HM, despite several days of protests in the Parliament.

The fate of the tribal people of Manipur is going to be repeated in other areas of the region. The tribes of Central India have been weakened or forced to integrate into Hindu or Hindutva society at the lowest level. The same doom awaits the North-East.

When replying to the Opposition on Manipur issue in the ‘no confidence motion’, did Modi refer to a single measure he had in mind? Effectively what he said was that things were alright. Amit Shah spoke of his Covid strategies, Modi of Hindutstan Aeronautics and the arrogance of the Opposition. Not a word about the humiliation of women in Manipur nor targeted violence, about which the whole world is anxiously discussing? Marginalized people are given marginal importance. Manipur weeps!

Look at the situation in Kashmir. Kashmiris are told to “celebrate” the abrogation of Article 370 because it has brought many blessings.  Shah insists that it paved the way for peace. Similarly, Shah says that violence in the North-East has come down by 65% under the BJP. He has the rashness to say that when the whole world remains stunned at Manipur tragedy.

Major Dereliction of Duty

A gathering of former bureaucrats accused the Manipur Government for major “dereliction” of duty in failing to protect lives of citizens. They condemned Biren Singh for “demonising” a section of people, the Kuki-Zos, and calling them ‘narco-terrorists’. Gaurav Gogoi castigated BJP for dividing Manipur. He insisted that the Prime Minister should visit the state. Himanta Biswa Sarma was quick in pointing out that Modiji had come to the North-East 60 times and other Central leaders over 600 times.  Celebrations and claims many, but concrete assistance too little!

Rahul felt certain that Modi could have stopped the conflict in two or three days if he really wanted. Julius Rebeiro swore that it could have been stopped in a single day, if only the police were determined. But if there is no sincerity of purpose, nothing gets done. The armed forces themselves are divided along ethnic lines. There is no planned coordination.

The fact is that the militants are carrying out the state Government’s strategy, and Biren is following Shah’s instructions. How can the situation change? If chaos is what the Home Ministry wants till elections, chaos will remain. The meeting of Kuki ITLF with Shah ends in a stalemate. The Kukis are at his mercy for mere survival. The ‘pound of flesh’ he will be demand will be votes for BJP in 2024!

Political Culture Changing

We are shocked when we hear that the Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has disappeared for the past 7 months. Were we shocked when M. M. Kalburgi, Gauri Lankesh and Stan Swamy disappeared?  We have often heard that Pakistan has become a dysfunctionsl state, that it is ruled by an “unaccountable political body”. Do we feel humiliated that Manipur has been made into a dysfunctional state, with army releasing gang leaders under pressure from women, and state authorities allowing criminal gangs to loot police armoury on a regular basis?  Has the Government of India showed itself “accountable” to the Parliament, to the public? Or is it that India is becoming Pakistan?

It is reported that Modiji made 58 foreign trips which cost the nation Rs.527.82 crore. Why didn’t he think of a brief trip to Manipur between awards and celebrations?  He claims that North-East is a piece of his heart. How has he proved it in this difficult time? Modi’s silence is a public confession of where he has failed most: Manipur, China border, Farmers’ demands, Adani issue, Pulwama.

More Harm in Preparation

Haryana comes next to Manipur: from bullets to bulldozers. The Bulldozer Culture once typical of Communist China, was introduced to UP by Yogi and Assam by Sarma. But of late, sixty buildings have been demolished at Nuh in Haryana, merely on communal bias. This, then, is going to be the ‘normal’ in Hindutva India. Minorities beware! Not only will your markets be boycotted as at Gurugram, your lives and homes will be daily under threat.

Arms training by Bajrang Dal has been reported recently in a school at Mangaldoi, Assam, in the name Yoga training. Don’t be surprised tomorrow if Hindu religious processions get infiltrated by slogan-shouters and young men with lathis and guns. Intense camps for ABVP students are organized in the North-East for selective violence.

BJP leaders seem to be taking after Trump. The more accused and exposed, Trump feels more elevated. His supporters keep increasing in proportion to the number of new cases that come up against him. He is determined to stand for the next elections. Every new charge helps his campaign, he claims, every new indictment ensures more votes. “If you go after me, I am coming after you”, Trump warns his opponents.

Amit Shah has adopted the same approach. He is hunting down Hemant Soren of Jharkhand with the Enforcement Directorate. A colleague of his suggests ‘surgical strikes’ against infiltrators, meaning the Kukis. See the level of inhumanity to which our leaders are leading us!

So, things are sliding down. There was a tone of despondency in Arundhati Roy’s voice when she exclaimed, “I am a huge failure”. She feels her writings have made no difference. The weak are being exploited. Women are being raped, they are being handed over by other women to be raped, police are doing the same. She says she herself feels unsafe in Delhi, as she is a targeted person.

Similarly, Hemant Soren, the tribal Chief Minister of Jharkhand, expresses a deep feeling of helplessness when he says 80% of those displaced by dams and mines are tribal people. Their struggle is making no progress. Stan Swamy is gone! He pleads with his fellow tribals who count more than 130 million in India to come together, discuss and work unitedly.  They have a heritage to defend.

Mournfully again, someone from Manipur who carefully listened to the Parliamentary discussion concluded. “No one is interested in Manipur, really. All are speaking for their party. Ultimately, we, in Manipur, will have to solve our own problems. We must heal our wounds. We must work together”.

A creative group in Jharkhand seems to be suggesting exactly that. They named their organization BANDHUTVA,  not HINDUTVA.  Bandhutva (bondedness) can change the world. As Steve Jobs says, “People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do”! Stand, then, by your heritage unitedly!