Manipur Needs Actual Historians

Opinion 

Manipur needs actual historians like late Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen 
and not part-time Pseudo Historian Politicians 

                                                                                                                                ~ Ruata Lungchuang 

Manipur, a state nestled in the beautiful landscapes of Eastern Northeast India, is in dire need of genuine historians like Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen. These true historians dedicate their lives to unravelling the rich tapestry of Manipuri history, untainted by political motives, unlike the part-time pseudo-historian politicians who often distort facts to suit their own agendas.

It is disheartening to witness the divisive rhetoric of certain Imphal Valley politicians who, in an interview on national media, proclaimed that "Meiteis and Kukis are very different," disregarding the linguistic and cultural similarities that bind these two groups together. This stark contrast reminds us of the invaluable contributions made by Pu Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen, a Meitei historian and reformer who dedicated his life to promoting unity among the people residing in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. He vehemently advocated for the oneness of these communities, transcending political biases.

Regrettably, some Imphal valley politicians and civil societies are betraying the legacy of Pu Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen by engaging in derogatory name-calling and fabricating histories about the Zo people. This vulnerable group, encompassing both the Zomis and the Kukis, faces constant harassment, being labelled as "refugees" or "illegal immigrants." Even the Mizos, who have their own state, are not spared from such baseless accusations. This surge in name-calling and discrimination seems to have intensified after the Naga framework agreement, which may have triggered a sense of insecurity among certain Meitei think tanks. While their concerns might be justified, it is truly appalling to witness the incessant attacks, both in policy and through verbal means, on the politically weaker Kuki community in Manipur.

Pic: Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen 
via https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59811979

As an ardent follower of Manipur's politics and history, I have noticed a recurring pattern. The more erudite and knowledgeable historians and scholars of Manipur emphasize the unity of the people in the Eastern Northeast region. They recognize the shared origins, languages, and cultures of the Nagas, Mizos, Meiteis, and Kukis. On the other hand, less informed individuals and groups, driven by political agendas, tend to focus on division, racial superiority, and cultural differences. This divergence is also reflected in their interpretations of Manipur's history. Distinguished historians and scholars tend to acknowledge the ethnic kinship in the southern direction, while the less enlightened tend to look northward. Any person with a decent understanding of history and anthropology would accept the simple fact that these communities from the three states originated from the same place and share commonalities in language and culture.

In this captivating video, we witness the remarkable Pu Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen delivering a lecture to a captivated crowd at the Kangleipak Historical and Cultural Research Centre. His subject of expertise lies in the origin of the Meiteis and their ethnic kin, a topic deeply rooted in Meitei folk tradition. With an unwavering dedication to his research, Pu Chingtamlen has invested countless hours and tremendous effort in unraveling the mysteries surrounding the Meiteis' ancestry.

As Pu Chingtamlen shares his groundbreaking discoveries with the audience, one cannot help but be captivated by the sheer enthusiasm and passion radiating from his eyes. It is evident that he is wholeheartedly dedicated to his pursuit of knowledge and is genuinely thrilled to unveil the profound connections among the various people groups residing in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. Such revelations, which he frequently highlights in his lectures, affirm his firm belief in the oneness of these communities.

Pu Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen stands as a shining example of a historian and Meitei nationalist whose ideas and values transcend borders. His unwavering dedication to uncovering the truths of history and promoting unity among diverse groups is a rarity in today's world. Unfortunately, Manipur no longer witnesses the presence of such remarkable individuals who possess both the wisdom of a seasoned scholar and the passion of a true nationalist.

It is a pity that the current landscape of Manipur fails to nurture and embrace historians and nationalists like Pu Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen, whose tireless endeavors and genuine love for their work have the power to shape a brighter future. The loss of such visionary figures further exacerbates the prevailing divisions and challenges faced by the state.

Unfortunately, it is often politicians, driven by vested interests, who hold the power to dictate history. Figures like Muivah, Biren, Mark Haokip, or even Some Mizo politicians, while not entirely wrong in their beliefs, fail to see the bigger picture and tend to use language that further divides rather than unites. The true passion and wisdom of historians, like Pu Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen, who dedicated their lives to understanding the history of the three states, could bridge these divides and foster unity among the people.

Manipur finds itself in a unique position, sandwiched between two states with closely related ethnic groups. The Meiteis, being the majority community, could have capitalized on this factor to establish strong relationships with both their northern and southern neighbours, connecting through the people groups directly related to them in Manipur. This could have allowed them to thrive not only in the hills of Manipur but also in Nagaland and Mizoram, where many Meiteis have settled. Regrettably, due to various factors, not entirely the fault of Meitei think tanks, this opportunity has been missed, and Manipur appears to be moving in the opposite direction. In Mizoram, until recently, the perception of Meiteis was similar to what Pu Chingtamlen described in his lecture. Although Meiteis are not tribal, they are treated as realtives of the Mizo community in Mizoram, even being often exempt from certain regulations like the Inner Line Permit (ILP) that are imposed on non - natives. The presence of beloved establishments like "Pakhangba Tailor" in downtown Aizawl exemplifies the integration of Meiteis into Mizo society.

However, recent events have shown that the sentiment is not reciprocated. While Meitei civil societies and social media pages assert that the ethnic conflict was solely between Kukis and Meiteis and not a clash between tribals and Meiteis, the small Mizo community in Imphal was forced to flee their homes, leaving with only the clothes on their backs. Mizo churches were attacked. All this while Meiteis in Aizawl find themselves shielded by the Young Mizo Association (YMA), who out of concern for the spillover of Manipur violence have ensured the safety of the community in urban areas. Even before this recent ethnic turmoil, in 2018, a valley-based group called the Kangleipak Students' Union pushed for the removal of Mizo and Ralte communities from the scheduled tribe list of the state. This was outrageous to the Mizos. Mizos, known for their pragmatic approach, juggle multiple responsibilities, and the mistreatment of Mizos in Manipur, being treated as a politically weak hill tribal minority of Manipur, only further strains the relationship between these two groups and brings awareness about the suffering of the Kuki-Zomi people ti the minds and heart of Mizos in Mizoram . 

Manipur has the potential to resolve not only its own political problems but also those of Nagaland and Mizoram. The state is blessed with vibrant communities closely tied to both the North and the South. The Meiteis themselves share direct relations with people from both directions. However, if politically-minded civil organizations and politicians continue to masquerade as historians and experts on Manipur's communal issues, the situation in Manipur will continue to deteriorate, spreading its influence to neighbouring states. Manipur could have been a paradise if the wisdom and values of learned scholars like Pu Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen were embraced by the state, unfortunately, it is heading to a path that is detrimental not only to itself but also to its neighbouring states. 

#ManipurViolence #Mizoram #nagaland #meitei #Mizo #kuki #Zomi #Naga #themizos

NB: The opinions expressed within the content are solely the author's and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of this website and its affiliates.

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