The appalling incident of parading naked women on the streets and subjecting them to gang rape in Manipur raises unsettling questions about the direction of the evolution of Indian society at large: is it still a beacon of spiritual awakening or has it descended into a pit of moral degradation? In this article, Navin Upadhyay delves into these shameful events that demand urgent attention

On May 4, two Kuki-Zo women in Manipur fell victim to a brutal attack perpetrated by a group of men from the powerful Meitei community. The women were paraded naked and sexually assaulted, while the administration and police remained passive bystanders. A 26-second video of the incident surfaced on July 19, revealing this shameful happening. Stripped, groped, and assaulted by boys as young as 15, these women from the ethnic Kuki-Zo tribe were led to a field where the worst awaited them. One of the women, aged 21, was subjected to brutal gang rape.

In the FIR, the rape victims narrated the harrowing details. The other woman was 42 years old. The incident occurred near B Phainom, in Kangpokpi district, on May 4, just a day after violent clashes erupted between the Meitei and Kuki communities.

This appalling incident compares with the torture often inflicted on women in far-off regions like Rwanda or Afghanistan. For modern India, which prides itself on its moral values and spiritual awakening, such a barbaric act raises deeply unsettling questions that transcend mere accountability for the state government and administration.

The video of the May 4 incident has caused nationwide uproar, with some people questioning its timing—just a day before the start of the monsoon session of parliament. On the flip side, others are also questioning the inaction of the police all these days in apprehending the culprits until the video went viral. After all, the FIR was registered on June 18 itself. It's crucial that a thorough investigation be launched under a sitting Supreme Court judge to hold those responsible accountable for their inaction.

Chief Minister Biren has gone on record saying that hundreds of such incidents have been reported from across the state during these clashes. The fact that a chief minister can make such an admission and still continue in office raises serious questions about accountability of a government, as his critics point out.

It is an undeniable reality that some politicians are willing to go to any extent, even at the cost of society or the nation, to serve their interests. Similarly, it is a bitter truth that Indian bureaucracy and the police are servile to their political masters, so much so that they cannot question even their worst sins and transgressions. The indifference displayed by them in the face of the burning of Manipur, the rape of women, and the killing of innocent citizens exposes the entire structure of administration and governance.

Despite the incident occurring on May 4, the police only registered an FIR on June 18, and the first arrest was made on July 20. Chief Minister Biren Singh attributed this inaction to the multiplicity of similar incidents in the state, but such a justification fails to excuse the lack of sensitivity and accountability from those in power.

This tragedy becomes even more heart-wrenching considering that the ill-fated women and two men were fleeing for safety towards the forest. Among the victims were three members of the same family: a 56-year-old man, his 19-year-old son, and his 21-year-old daughter. Additionally, two other women, aged 42 and 52, were part of the group.

The victims were momentarily "rescued" by a team from the Nongpok Sekmai police station while en route to the forest. However, a violent mob intercepted them near Toubu, just two kilometers from the police station, and tragedy struck. The mob killed the 56-year-old man, and all three women were physically forced to undress and were stripped naked in front of the hostile crowd. In broad daylight, the 21-year-old woman endured a brutal gang rape, while the other two women managed to escape with the help of some locals they knew. Tragically, the 21-year-old's younger brother was killed by the mob while attempting to defend his sister's dignity and life.

The shameful and blood-curdling incident raises unsettling questions about the version of India these criminals represent: a beacon of spiritual awakening or a pit of moral degradation?

The brutality witnessed against women in Manipur are unprecedented in the northeastern region, where women play a significant role in running families and society. Even during the peak of ethnic and intra-state violence, such atrocities against women were unheard of in the northeast. It is evident that the narrative of hate, which has strongly taken root in mainstream India, has found fertile ground in the northeast as well, leading to its own grave consequences.

This brutal dehumanization of society, dominated by hate-filled communal extremists, has undeniably tarnished the image of the northeast as a pristine land of swift-flowing rivers, lush forests, and warm and friendly people. It also poses a serious challenge to the unity of India, threatening the fabric that binds our diverse nation together.

The horrifying incident has garnered international headlines and is expected to force the central government to act. The possibility of placing the state under President's rule to rebuild trust with the minority Kuki community and initiate a reconciliation process should not come as a surprise. As things stand, expecting the existing administrative setup, dominated by the Meiteis, to diffuse the situation may prove futile.

It is unfortunate that despite the state witnessing such explosive situation and barbarity, there is no political consensus to address the issue. It is reflected in the bitter discord over the provisions and rules under which the parliament will discuss the Manipur crisis.

While the India parliament is not able to discuss the Manipur humanitarian crisis, the European Parliament on July 13 passed a resolution calling on Indian authorities to take “all necessary” measures to stop the violence in Manipur and protect religious minorities, especially Christians.

The resolution expresses concern about the violent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki ethnic communities in Manipur, resulting in significant loss of life, displacement, and destruction of properties, including places of worship. It also highlights worries regarding the promotion of Hindu majoritarianism and increased activity by militant groups.

The resolution strongly urges the Indian authorities to take immediate action to halt the ongoing ethnic and religious violence and protect all religious minorities, particularly the Christian community in Manipur. It calls for restraint from all sides involved in the conflict and emphasizes the need for political leaders to refrain from making inflammatory statements. The resolution encourages India's central government and religious leaders to engage in inclusive dialogues with civil society and affected communities to restore calm and address the root causes of the tensions.

Additionally, the resolution calls for independent investigations into the violence, accountability for those responsible, and an end to the internet shutdown to allow for transparency and access to information. It further recommends repealing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and adhering to the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.

It's nobody's contention that merely a discussion in parliament will diffuse the situation in Manipur, but a serious debate on the issue will certainly be a step forward in sending the right message to the people and administration.

For lasting peace, authorities must not forget that the roots of the Meitei-Kuki tensions stretch back to the colonial period when British rule employed a divide-and-rule policy, leading to exacerbated ethnic divisions and tensions between various communities, including the Meitei and Kuki tribes. Land disputes have also been a significant source of contention between the Meitei and Kuki communities, further fueling clashes and violence.

The issue of political representation and autonomy has also played a role in the unrest, with both communities demanding greater political power and autonomy in the state. This has led to conflicts over legislative seat allocations and resource distribution.

The Meitei and Kuki communities have distinct cultural identities, traditions, and languages, which sometimes contribute to misunderstandings and clashes, particularly in regions where both communities coexist. The presence of various armed groups in the region has further complicated the situation, with some claiming to represent specific ethnic communities, leading to violence and insecurity.

Socio-economic disparities and limited access to resources have also contributed to tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities, as issues like unemployment, poverty, and lack of development can exacerbate existing grievances and create a fertile ground for conflict.

Addressing the situation in Manipur is a complex and multifaceted task, requiring a comprehensive approach that acknowledges historical grievances, promotes dialogue and reconciliation, ensures equitable development opportunities, and provides better representation and participation for all communities in the state's governance and decision-making processes. Above all, it necessitates a genuine political willingness to foster lasting peace and unity in Manipur.

TRIGGER POINT

On April 27, the  Manipur High Court directed  the state government to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list within four weeks. The court's order came  ona petition filed by the Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union, which has been demanding ST status for the community for many years.

The order triggered the massive unrest that has engulfed the northeast state into vortex of bloodshed and tales of hearwrenching crime against humanity. The Kukis opposed the order , fearing that it would take away what little privildges they enhpy as tribal community and the dominant meteis whoi are both politically and economically far more  influential that the kukis.

The High court noted that the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs  sent a letter to the Manipur government in 2013, acknowledging the Meitei community's request for inclusion in the ST list. However, the state government had not taken any action on the matter since then.

The court said that the continued denial of the Meitei community's request violated their right to equality and right to life with dignity, as guaranteed under Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.

The Meitei people are currently categorized as Other Backward Classes (OBC) or SCs, and they hold a dominant position in more than half of the state's assembly constituencies. The community's demand for ST status has been a long-standing one, advocated by the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur. They assert that they were originally listed as one of the tribes of Manipur before its merger with India in 1949 but lost this status with the drafting of the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.

However, their plea  faced opposition from Adivasi students' unions representing the existing 36 ST communities in the state. These unions argue that granting ST status to the Meitei community would undermine the purpose of protecting tribal communities through reservation.

Supreme court Steps in

The Supreme Court has slammed the Manipur High Court's order to include Meiteis in the list of Scheduled Tribes, calling it "factually incorrect" and "against the principles laid down by a Constitution bench."

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud took strong exception to the Manipur HC judgment, which was issued in March 2023. The order had led to violent clashes between tribal and non-tribal communities in Manipur.

Observing that there is a need to intervene and nullify the HC order, the CJI said, "we gave time to justice Muralidharan to remedy his error and he did not. We have to take a strong view against it now. It is clear if HC judges do not follow Constitution bench judgments what should we do."

The CJI also said that the Manipur HC's order had "serious implications" for the country's constitutional framework. He said that the order had "undermined" the principles laid down by the Constitution bench in a 1996 judgment, which had set out the criteria for including communities in the Scheduled Tribes list.

The Supreme Court has set aside the Manipur HC's order and referred the matter back to the high court for a fresh hearing. The court has also asked the high court to seek the views of the Union government and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes before issuing a new order.

(The writer is Executive Editor of The Pioneer)