Decoding Sharda’s False Narratives

On the 20th of October, A Sharda, the BJP Manipur Pradesh President, addressed the media at their Nityaipat Chuthek office, emphasizing that no BJP MLA was advocating for separate administration. Instead, she attributed the rising demand for separate administration to misunderstandings among the communities.

On the 3rd of May, tensions escalated as ethnic cleansing began, leading to ten Kuki-Zo MLAs issuing a joint statement in favor of a separate administration for their ethnic group on the 12th of May. The Meiteis, who have historically been at odds with the Kuki-Zo, responded with strong opposition. They went as far as threatening the Chief Minister to disqualify the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs.

Curiously, there was a shift in the tone towards these ten Kuki-Zo MLAs. A Sharda’s true intentions remained a matter of speculation, but the way she spoke about the Kuki-Zo MLAs seemed to carry an air of understanding. Meitei politicians, irrespective of their party affiliations, always put the interests of the Meitei community first. This marked a rare instance where a Meitei seemed to empathize with the predicament faced by these ten MLAs.

A Sharda appeared to grasp the underlying reasons that prompted the Kuki-Zo MLAs to call for a separate administration. Instead of openly accusing them, she seemed to offer them some protection. However, what she couldn’t conceal in her message was her disregard for the Meiteis’ role in the escalating conflict. Referring to it as a mere misunderstanding was seen as an affront to the Kuki-Zo community and their representatives.

The Meitei government may believe that they can engage in discussions with Kuki-Zo leaders to restore peace in Manipur. Yet, have they truly comprehended the sentiments of the Kuki-Zo public, who have been treated as outcasts and subjected to violence in both valley and hill settlements at the hands of the Meiteis? While some leaders may have yielded to the Meiteis’ tactics, motivated by financial incentives, will the public follow these leaders? Can the government genuinely absolve itself of blame by portraying the MLAs as unrelated to the demand for a separate administration, citing a mere misunderstanding between communities?

It is essential to remember that the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs did not ignite the demand for separate administration; rather, the Meitei government’s covert dealings with Meitei radicals Arambai Tenggol and Meetei Leepun played a significant role. The call for a separate administration was not premeditated but arose out of a necessity for survival. While the Meiteis may employ sweet words to conceal their true intentions, they are unlikely to gain the trust of the Kuki-Zo people and their 10 MLAs. The writing on the wall is clear: the Meiteis will find it difficult to hide their intentions. The only path to lasting peace in Kangleipak is coexisting harmoniously with the Kuki-Zo, but only as neighbors.