Shaikh Abid Hasan Speaks Out: Justice for Kuki-Zo

Zogam Today Exclusive Interview

As violence continues in Manipur, the name of the Kuki-Zo people has spread far and wide. 

Mr. Shaikh Abid Hasan, a 34-year-old Bengali social activist from Kolkata, has been actively supporting and speaking up for the Kuki-Zo tribal Christians, who were attacked by the dominant Hindu Meiteis, in his own capacity.

In a candid conversation with our Joint Editor, Shaikh Abid Hasan shared that he will continue to stand with the Kuki-Zo people and fight for justice until it is served.

Here’s how the conversation went:

Can you introduce yourself and your work as a social activist?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: I am a social as well as media activist since 2012. But now I am a politician. I represented Indian Secular Front and Sanjukta Morcha in the 2021 WB elections. I have been part of We Dravidians, Bengali Academia for Social Empowerment, Anti CAA-NRC Mancha, SC-ST-OBC Adhikar Mancha. I am the co-founder of Bastar Solidarity Chapter Kolkata and DYNT (Democratize Your Nation Today) on YouTube. We have three channels—DYNTLAND, DYNT Bangla, and DYNT News. I have been instrumental in ensuring OBC reservation continues in West Bengal in PSC and PhD allocation. One of my achievements is stopping exams from being scheduled during the two Eid holidays in West Bengal and ensuring the declaration of a two-day Eid holiday.

What inspired you to become a social activist?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: My father was very instrumental in making me politically literate. My late Mejo Kaka was a CPIM panchayat member. I have always been around politics. This is my calling. Later, when I read the Qur’an in my adult life, I got direction to fight for the majloom irrespective of community against the zalim.

How did you first learn about the struggles of the Kuki-Zo community?
Shaikh Abid Hasan:: I first learnt about the Kuki community when I learned about Subhas Chandra Bose in school on the internet. Later, out of curiosity, I started researching Manipur after 2014 and got to know about them.

Why do you stand in solidarity with the Kuki-Zo people?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: I stand in solidarity with them because, as a Bengali nationalist, I have incurred a debt to my ancestors who were fighting for independence. This is historic solidarity forged during World War II. I am forever in service of the Kuki-Zo people, who helped Subhas Chandra Bose in freeing India. When no Indian inside India was supporting Bose, the Kuki, Mizo, Chin, and Lushai did.

Have you faced any challenges for supporting the Kuki-Zo community?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: Yes, the biggest challenge has been communication. I have been fighting Hindu nationalism since 2013, so throwing my weight behind the Kuki-Zo was not difficult, considering the catastrophic events in Imphal on 3/4/5 May 2023. Getting trolled, abused, and threatened with legal cases is not an issue. But it has been hard to activate mainland Indians as they are still quite ignorant.

In what ways have you shown support to the Kuki-Zo people?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: I have given them political advice, media strategy, education, invited them on podcasts, tried to streamline their resistance, and helped in forecasting. I have advocated for them across platforms and political parties. I represented Global Citizens For Kuki-Zo in Mizoram, where I met MZP, YMA, MNF, ZPM, and CM Lalduhoma. I discussed the idea of Greater Mizoram with Chief Minister Lalduhoma. He was very impressed that an outsider was aware of the concept. The Kuki-Zo people must actively engage with the Indian political system and lead the fight against Hindu ethnic democracy. It is now in their best interest to work towards changing the BJP-led government at the Centre and in all states to ensure India remains secular. When the Home Minister doesn’t want to control Kuki UT from Delhi using central forces, the demand for separate administration becomes an acid test of secularism for Hindu-majority India.

Pu Lalduhoma, Chief Minister, Mizoram

How do you think other communities can stand in solidarity with them?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: Other communities, barring Mizos, have not been able to express the kind of solidarity we expect. This is a problem of doing politics in a non-Hindi market.

Have you worked with other activists or organisations for this cause?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: I have only worked with Global Citizens For Kuki-Zo for this cause.

What kind of response do you get from your own community regarding your support for the Kuki-Zos?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: In both Bengali Hindu and Bengali Muslim spaces, there is considerable interest. One of my allies, Dr. Prasenjit Biswas, was already a great friend of Kuki-Zo before I even spoke. My party, the Indian Secular Front, led a rally to Manipur House in Kolkata. ISF MLA Nawsad Siddiqui has given many statements. We have done a press briefing as well. A female activist of mine from the Bengali nationalist space, Debaroti, has intervened for the Kuki-Zo in Bengali media.

How can interfaith solidarity help in times of crisis?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: The idea of interfaith unity is not the right way to look at this issue because Hinduism does not have the power to bring justice to the oppressed. All victims of Hindu nationalism must come together against the idea of “Hindi-Hindu-Hindustan”. This fight is bigger than religion. We are living under a system that favours Hindus. In this situation, we are like the Palestinians, Yezidis, and Kurds who face attacks from powerful groups. Zionism, Bangladeshi Nationalism, Hindu Nationalism, and Buddhist Nationalism are all forms of racism or Brahmanism. 

How do you see the present situation of the Kuki-Zo people in Manipur?

Shaikh Abid Hasan: The present situation of the Kuki, Zomi, and Hmar peoples is extremely bad. It has become worse than 3 May 2023. Physical violence has scaled down, but epistemological violence has reached a point where many Kuki-Zo feel that dying is better than fighting in a democratic manner against the Hindu State, as we saw on 8 March.

What do you think are the main causes of the ongoing conflict?

Shaikh Abid Hasan: The main reason is lust for land and caste attitudes towards the Kuki-Zo middle class in government. The Hindu nationalists want to create a pure devbhoomi of Vernacular Hindutva Nationalist Kangleipak. The threat of ethnic cleansing by the BJP is still on.

Have you visited the affected areas or interacted with displaced people?

Shaikh Abid Hasan: I met IDPs in Mizoram. I did talk to some digitally. I was unable to go to Lamka.

What is your message to the victims of violence and displacement?

Shaikh Abid Hasan: They must have faith in God and in Kuki-Zo youngsters and people like Dr. Tara Manching, Dr. Mary Grace, Vishwajeet, Lien Gangte, Prof. Khan Kham Suan Hausing, and Dr. Thongkolal Haokip to deliver.

What role do you think the government should play in resolving the issue?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: This government will not resolve this issue. The RSS taught the Meiteis to rape and kill Kuki-Zo people, just as they did during the massacre of Pangals (Muslims) in 1993, which also began on May 3.

The day the Waqf Bill was tabled in the Indian Parliament, President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur. Do you think this decision is fair?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: I don’t see this as a question of fairness. We are not living in a secular India anymore. Modi is the “Hindu Hriday Samrat”—he puts his Hindu identity first. Their goal is to take away the lands of Christians and Muslims and force women from our communities into exploitation—just like what happened to Jews in Germany. Caste Hindus believe they have a right to our land and our women. That’s why they raped Bilkis Bano and Kuki-Zo women. The politics of Assam, Meiteis, Hindus, and even Pakistan are the same—we have seen how Pakistan and Assam treated women in history.

Which community do you think will benefit more from the Waqf Bill?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: Clearly, the Brahmin-Bania power structure in India will benefit the most. The Waqf Bill was not made to return Muslim lands to Muslims. Instead, it gives the district collector the power to decide who is a Muslim. Non-Muslims will sit in tribunals and decide on Muslim matters. This is nothing but another tool for state control over Muslim properties. 

There have been reports of Manipur Muslims (Meitei-Pangal) being threatened, attacked, and even killed by the Arambai Tenggol militia. How do you feel about these incidents? 
Shaikh Abid Hasan: This is all part of Hindu nationalism. Sometimes, Hindi-speaking Hindus carry out these attacks. Other times, it is local Hindus who justify violence using Sanamahism. We have already seen how Meitei Christians were forced to return to Hinduism through “Ghar Wapsi”. Now, the victims include Pangals, Nagas, Kuki-Zo people, Bengalis in Jiribam, and other tribal Christians.

Heinrich Himmler used the Bhagavad Gita and Mahabharata to justify the genocide of Jews. Caste discrimination against Dalits, Tribals, and Bahujans comes from Hindu teachings. In the name of Hinduism, Modi was responsible for two major riots—the Gujarat riots of 2002 and the Muzaffarnagar riots before the 2014 elections. It is not difficult to see the same pattern in the Delhi riots and the violence against the Kuki-Zo people in Imphal. Attacks on churches today are a continuation of the BJP’s policies, which were seen earlier during the Kandhamal riots. 

On International Women’s Day, several Kuki women were injured due to alleged assaults by central forces during a protest in Kangpokpi. What does this incident reveal about the state of women's rights and security in conflict-affected regions like Manipur?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh were built on the suffering of women. Women in the Global South have always been brutalised by the state. If you are a religious, ethnic, linguistic, caste minority—and a woman—then the state will crush your rights. Now, Kuki-Zo women must channel their inner Phoolan Devi. They must force the Modi government to ensure justice. They must challenge Draupadi Murmu and ask what kind of a woman president she is if she remains silent on this. 

The Manipur government sent MST buses with security forces into Kuki-Zo areas under the pretext of peace, which resulted in violent clashes, injuries to Kuki women, and the death of a civilian. How does this action align with the government’s stated objective of restoring peace, and what could have been a better approach?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: The government wants peace only because their experiment has failed. They could have easily created a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly or Greater Mizoram and let corporations buy land from Kuki-Zo people. But their policies are Hindu-oriented. So they want to satisfy Meitei lust for Hills. Instead of solving the issue fairly, they are appeasing Meitei greed for the hills. They want to create another Deucha Pachami or Bastar in Manipur—where indigenous people lose their land to corporate and state interests. 

What do you suggest for the two SOO (Suspension of Operations) groups—KNO (Kuki National Organisation) and UPF (United People’s Front)?

Shaikh Abid Hasan: The SOO groups are not prepared to counter the BJP’s strategies. Today, politics is no longer just about money, weapons, or facts—it is about controlling the narrative through new media. The BJP, led by Amit Shah, is a master at this game. Meta Hindutva, a digital and ideological strategy, is something these groups have little experience in. They should allow Kuki-Zo people outside Manipur—who understand Hindu nationalism—to take the lead in this battle of narratives. 

What steps can the 10 Kuki-Zomi-Hmar MLAs take to support their people?

Shaikh Abid Hasan: These MLAs have many options, but they seem unwilling to take strong actions. They could have:

1. Resigned from the BJP as a sign of protest.
2. Held a large protest in Delhi, even something symbolic like a naked parade, to draw national and international attention.
3. Started a fast unto death or a Shaheen Bagh-style protest, making their voices heard.

However, those within the BJP appear to prioritize the party over their community. They have not shown the courage to stand up for their people. 

Do you have any suggestions for Kuki-Zo leaders?

Shaikh Abid Hasan: Yes, Kuki-Zo leaders need to wake up. They must realize that they are dealing with a Hindu ethnic democracy. They should start engaging with people like Shaikh Abid Hasan and others who have been fighting against the Hindu nationalist state for years. They must educate themselves, build strong alliances, and take bold steps to protect their community. It is time for real leadership—not just words but actions.

Do you think the media is fairly covering the issues faced by the Kuki-Zos?

Shaikh Abid Hasan: Indian media is stacked against the Kuki-Zo—both Godi Media as well as anti-BJP media. We must not forget that the Reporters’ Collective justified the genocide of the Kuki-Zo from a liberal praxis.

How can social media help in spreading awareness?

Shaikh Abid Hasan: Social Media is the reason why Kuki Zo is alive in India. Otherwise, they would have been buried deep inside Kukiland.

Have you faced any backlash for speaking out on this issue?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: Yes. My Twitter profile and YouTube Channel have been shadow-banned. Meitei BJP and Hindutva Trolls have tagged NIA and CBI on my voice recordings to harass me.

Why are the Meitei people so skilled at creating and spreading fake news, photos, and videos on social media?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: They have been trained by their middle class, especially those working in corporate jobs and the government, as well as by the BJP. Their propaganda methods follow the Hindutva playbook. In the past, when they were separatists, China trained them. Now, India’s intelligence agencies (IB and R&AW) and the RSS are training them.

What is Himanta Biswa Sarma’s role in Biren Singh’s political career?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: Himanta Biswa Sarma is like a mentor to Biren Singh. He helped him leave the Congress party in 2016 and made sure he became the Chief Minister of Manipur. During the recent conflict, Sarma quietly supported Biren and avoided saying anything that could make him look bad. Both of them share the same anti-Christian agenda in India.

How can young people contribute to raising awareness?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: Young Kuki Zo have to dislodge their leaders and MLAs. Politics is now a young person’s game. As Dr. Seilen Haokip said, it might take two decades. Young people have time on their side. By the time India decides to give Separate Administration (SA), they will be abreast with everything. Besides, new media requires young, smart people who are street-savvy.

What do you hope to see in the future for the Kuki-Zo people?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: I hope to see political, legal, and constitutional awareness in Kuki Zo. Seeking justice alone won’t work. They have to create cultural capital.

What steps should be taken to promote peace and harmony in Manipur?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: Peace and harmony cannot be revived in Manipur without dismantling Manipur into three UTs or one Imphal UT, Greater Mizoram, and Greater Nagaland under the Indian Constitution.

How can different communities work together for justice and reconciliation?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: They need to create a common organisation, share ideas, and resources. Peace and reconciliation can only come after Meiteis reform themselves. They need salvation from the evil RSS.

What role does religion play in promoting peace in such conflicts?

Shaikh Abid Hasan: Gaudiya Vaishnavism and Sanamahism are not peaceful religions. Vivekananda criticized the caste system in Hinduism. Constitutionally, even Sanamahism is a Hindu faith. Vivekananda saw hope in Islam and Christianity. Maybe Meiteis need to change their religion for reform.

If you were given the chance to be the Prime Minister, Home Minister, or Chief Minister of Manipur, what would be the first thing you would do to solve this crisis?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: Wrong question. They are responsible for this mess. They don’t want to solve it. Amit Shah has said, “No Kuki UT (No Union Territory for Kuki)”. Without changing the government at the Centre, Kuki Zo will not get Separate Administration. They should go on tour and educate people against BJP.

Do you have any message for people who are hesitant to support this cause?
Shaikh Abid Hasan: If you are hesitant, no problem. Give the resources to us and support us. They can engage in a silent movement within—a whisper campaign.

~ Zogam Today | 11.03.2025

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