Manipur's Matriarchal Esteem Has Taken a Hit

The matriarchal esteem of Manipur has taken a big hit. The horrendous video of the two women being paraded nude, and allegations of more rapes in the continuing violence is traumatic for a state that has always taken pride in honouring and respecting its women.

Everyone is baffled as to how can a society that holds matriarchal values in high esteem allow such violence against its women?

When one talks about the prominent women and their fights one is instantly reminded of Irom Sharmila who is better known as ‘Iron Lady’ for the long fast that she undertook against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Or it is the memory of the protest following the rape and murder of Thangjam Manorama outside the office of the Assam Rifles Headquarters where 30 women had shed their clothes.

In the sphere of sports Mary Kom today is a household name across the country for her achievements in the game of boxing.

And who can forget the two famous Nupi Lan movements where women had been on the forefront. The first Nupi Lan was recorded in 1904 where 5000 women had stood up against the move of the British to send the men to Kabow valley to fetch timber as forced labour.

The second Nupi Lan was recorded in 1939 when the women had risen against the indiscriminate export of rice from the state that had resulted in a famine-like situation. Women at that time too were playing a decisive role in the agrarian economy.

Nupi Lan is a benchmark in the socio-political trajectory of the state that is still sought to be repeated. In her research paper on ‘Deconstructing the Discourses on Manipuri Women’, academic Ratna Huirem has concluded: “I reiterate that social action on the lines of a Nupi Lan movement which was instrumental in turning around the state during crises like a near famine situation in its history may perhaps be desirable in pushing forward women's rights in Manipur.”

On the other hand Meira Paibi (Women Torch Bearers) is one of the biggest civilian movements known internationally. The state has also been promoting the famous Ima Keithel (Mothers’ Market) in Imphal that boasts of being the only market in the world run entirely by women.

Coming to the present day horrors that the women have been facing, it needs to be underlined that the women organisations have been on the forefront demanding restoration of peace. Those from the minority tribes of Kukis and Nagas have been reaching out to their ‘sisters’ among the majority Meiteis to use their influence to put an end to the violence.

“Even we are baffled by the question of a society that otherwise holds women in high esteem resorting to such heinous crimes against them. We have all lived together in cities like Imphal.

“If even the contentious matters like land rights are to be sorted out they can be done in a democratic manner by sitting together. Why instigate people to violence with calls to annihilate a community?” pointed out Dr Mary Grace of Kuki Zo Women Forum.

She also raised the question about how women condone the acts by the men from their society indulging in heinous acts.

It is being pointed out that women cannot be divided on sectarian lines when it comes to atrocities and assaults against them. “It is true that our image as a society high on matriarchal values has taken a beating. It is the uncivilised aspect among the people that has come to the forefront.

“I cannot move out of my village for fear of my safety. It is a time when everyone thinks it better to be confined to their houses,” said a Naga woman from a village in Chandel district who had otherwise been travelling to remote corners of the country without any fear.

In yet another plea for peace in the state around 3500 women from the north eastern states have submitted a memorandum to the President Draupadi Murmu last week stating, “While we the women of the North East draw strength and courage from several individuals, women’s groups, civil society organisations and human rights groups across India and the world, our blood boils with rage and our souls continue to ache as we see our daughters, mothers, sisters, children and men fighting an evil force that has been unleashed in our region in the state of Manipur.

“Manipur comes to light again, over the video going viral of three (two of whom were visible) young women victims being paraded naked and one gang raped.

“They were brutally stripped of their dignity and right to life, but we shall continue to fight for their basic human rights, and their voices and dreams to live through us, in the hope that no other woman or girl in this country will have to face such unimaginable violence meted upon them and this is happening in Manipur, in a region ticked away but very much in our country that we call India.”

Mentioning statistics about the number of lives loss, people displaced and properties destroyed, these women have pointed out, “But it is the episode of this uncensored video that got the politicians, police, media and others to consider this too URGENT a cause to be left unnoticed and are now highlighting cases of murder and rapes that have been going on for the last three months.

“Is this what we call the India of today, where citizens feel unprotected, and North East concerns are left out of mainstream media and the ethnic conflict in Manipur is being politicised,” the document reads.

The signatories, while calling for the accountability of the state and the centre have also raised questions about the plethora of Commissions that have failed to step in to address the concerns of the citizens.

Drawing attention to the Justice J.S. Verma Commission that came up with long drawn recommendations for dealing with cases of sexual assault, these women have rued that these recommendations are being ignored like the state of Manipur.

Referring to various government Commissions and Committees like the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Commission for Women (NCW), National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), they have said, “We also recognise that the members of these committees are appointed by the ruling government and their role today has been minimised and compromised which gives us little hope.”

Pointing out towards the violence witnessed against the vulnerable and particularly the Kuki Zo tribes, they have pointed towards the complicity of authority in the violence meted out to the tribals.

It has been demanded that the Chief Minister N. Biren Singh be sacked and a special investigation team (SIT) appointed and monitored by the Supreme Court carry out investigations in the heinous acts of violence against the people. Political action has been sought to reassure the people of Manipur that normalcy shall be restored.

Another demand that has been aired pertains to setting up of fast track courts to follow up on cases. The memorandum also calls for justice for victims who have been subject to all forms of violence but ‘reminding ourselves that many cases have gone unreported’.

The women signatories have also aired the need for appointment of a judicial commission to oversee the incidents of violence. In addition they have demanded swift and better relief and reparations for the victims of the conflict.

The memorandum concludes with the words, “We the women from the North East are filled with anguish and despair but are committed to fighting this injustice, till truth and justice prevail and triumph.

We appeal to you, Honourable Madam President, to address the matter urgently, using your high office, and restoring our faith in our country’s constitution that guarantees dignity towards all peoples, especially women and girls in the North East.”

Copies of the memorandum were later also submitted to the Prime Minister’s office, the women and child development ministry along with the home ministry.