By Arun Srivastava
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Manipur on September 13 would always be remembered by the strife ravaged Manipur citizens as a political trip for party purposes.. A reluctant visitor, Modi has nothing to offer to the people of the state. His three-hour visit was more of the nature of an electoral preparedness than assuaging the battered and impaired sentiments of the Manipuri people.
While the people are still grieving and striving to yet to overcome the agony of losing their kins, dear ones and above all their identity, Modi played a cruel joke with them on his first ever visit after 864 days of the worst pogrom the state had to witness in Independent India, under BJP rule. Nothing could be more insulting and distressing than his platitudes “Manipur a jewel in India’s crown”, and his advice to the grief ridden people “to build a bridge of harmony”.
If he really believed that Manipur was a jewel in India’s crown, why he did not visit the state just after the bloody pogrom? Why he allowed the “jewel” to lose its shine? Modi’s sycophants had in fact planned for a monarchical reception for him on his arrival to Manipur. A group of dancers were to greet the monarch. Nevertheless better senses prevailed and the reception was cancelled. But he did not forget to wear the traditional dress and Manipuri cap during his interaction with some of his BJP men and women.
Anger that fomented the people could be seen in Imphal on Saturday as they staged a massive protest over Modi’s visit to Manipur, his first since the 2023 ethnic strife. The protests broke out just outside the historic Kangla Fort. They were joined by some Congress workers. Additional security personnel were rushed to the area, creating a heavy security ring around the Kangla Fort and nearby roads. His visit came under fierce criticism from the opposition, which described it a “farce” and “tokenism” as the state has been burning for two years
As usual Modi’s usual oratory was on full display, with him saying a new dawn is knocking on the doors of Manipur. With the state and its people still striving hard to resettle and rebuild their dwelling houses, how could they expect a new dawn to knock at their doors. The BJP government resorting to discriminating approach in making available fund and resources, the people have still been forced to live in camps. It was indeed shocking to see Modi mocking with their miseries.
Historically the region is populated by tribes who continue to follow their ancient animist religions. Though RSS has been quite active in the region and has set up large number of sakhas and schools, it is yet to emerge as a challenger to the Christian organisations who have massive following in the entire region. The RSS turned aggressive only after realising that it could not establish its hold in the North-East region unless it finishes the Christian organisations and their supporters. This is the prime fact that has been behind the ethnic violent clashes between Kukis and Meiteis. According to the government figures, not less than 300 people have been killed in the violence and 60,000 people have been displaced. Since the clashes erupted in May 2023. The ethnic riot provided the much needed opportunity for RSS to expand in Manipur by displacing Kukis.
The Kuki-Meitei clash might not have attained such a dangerous proportion ,if the RSS was only concerned of opening of its sakhas. Instead it actively involved in various socio-cultural and religious activities, including organizing festivals, yoga camps, and spiritual gatherings and forcing the non-Hindus to convert to Hinduism. These initiatives aim to counter christens and promote Hindu cultural identity.
The battle seems set to intensify with the growing presence of the RSS in the region. Modi refrained from visiting Manipur and meeting the people as his presence in the state would hamper the RSS mission in the entire region, including Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and other states. Not only Manipur, the entire north east region is facing threat to unity from RSS cadres.. The campaign to saffronise the tribal belts of the northeast has gone almost unnoticed. According to Seva Disha, a five-yearly RSS report on the activities of the Sangh Parivar, its presence has grown at a steady pace. Only a year back RSS had organised largest ever gathering of cadres in Northeast. Sarsanghchalak of RSS Mohan Bhagwat attended the meeting in Guwahati.
After 864 days, Modi visited Manipur. The question that is being asked in the political circle is; what Modi offered to the beleaguered people of the state. The reply is “absolutely nothing”. People had expected that he would provide a healing touch; gentle, soothing, and restorative embrace that would inspire the victims to look towards horizon with new hope of ray. His act would be a curative touch, bring comfort and ease pain or distress; comfort, a sense of emotional as well as physical relief and curative, a touch to cure or heal.Manipur looked for concrete assurance from the visiting PM on ending the ethnic conflict. Sadly, that did not come. (IPA Service)
Prime Minister’s Manipur Visit Failed To Produce Any Concrete Result 