Distrust of Reason: The Curious Case of Brinda

Meiteis Mediocrity is Eluding Peace

N Biren’s regime in Manipur would be remembered as the darkest era in the annals of Manipur history. He becomes the embodiment of a tyrant, fascist, authoritarian and whatnots. Notoriously known for bulldozing majoritarian viewpoints on ethnic minorities, Biren Singh allowed himself to be the tool to crush the diversity and plural ethos of Manipur during this short yet epochal reign. Glorification of violence and distrust of reason are amongst others striking tenets of fascism. With the exception of institutionalising pogrom against minority Zo (Kuki-Chin-Mizo-Zomi) people in Manipur, he and his followers till now show all hostilities to peace. They do not know ‘opponent’ and all they know is ‘enemies’ and their ultimate goal is ‘total annihilation’ of their enemies. 

The radicalised Meiteis distrust of reason or their utter disregard for reason is galore as evident in the social media realm. Biren Singh and his henchmen explicitly stifle reasons or rational and advocate actions based on instinct and irrationality to achieve the political goal (of remaining/keeping Biren in his chair). Implicitly, they are sloganeering ‘Biren is always right.’ The Government machineries and radical individuals conveniently and arbitrarily invoked FIR and criminal suits against anyone who is perceived to be speaking against the Government or the Meiteis without reasoning or examining any substances therein.

The last, but not certainly the least, victim of such tyranny and despotism is ex-MPS officer Ms Thounaojam Brinda. She was expressing (not even voicing) her perspective of the ongoing ‘violence’ in Manipur and the solution thereon. Based on her rational thinking, Ms Brinda said, in an audio recording which went viral on social media, the present violence was first started by the Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun at the behest of N Biren Singh and Meitei titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba, who is also Rajya Sabha MP. She further alleged that the two Kuki-Zo women were also paraded naked and outraged by militias of the two Meitei outfits.  The irony is that without examining the rationality of the claims/allegations, Meitei radical groups stormed the house of Brinda and she was coerced to apologise for what she said.

Brinda is known for her critical stand on Biren Singh’s policies and programme such as ‘War on Drugs.’ Based on her intellectual understanding and rich personal experiences, Brinda had boldly claimed that some people close to CM N Biren Singh (including his concubine Ms SS Olish, who is also a MLA) are involved in drug trade in Manipur. Indeed, it was a particular drug seizure case wherein ‘Biren’s second wife’ was said to be involved that Brinda chose to resign from service. Even the startling revelation about the involvement of people close to Biren Singh in drug trafficking case was unforgivable. Now the ex-cop made another disclosure that Biren’s militias were not only responsible for the present violence, but they were the ones who started it. Without reasoning, these are seen as enough reasons to seek vendetta against Brinda, sadly though.

Instead of giving space for rational thinking of the assertions made by Brinda, the Meitei radical and fascist mobs overwhelmed by emotions gave in to be governed by instincts than by reason. The Meitei mobs, as seen in the viral video, apparently seem to be carried away by the belief that ‘reason’ cannot offer any satisfactory solution of the problems in Manipur now. What is more disturbing is that a video of a man being tortured brutally for endorsing the views of Brinda in a clear demonstration of arbitrary power.

Biren Singh has heralded the era of intolerance, never ever known in the course of Manipur. To the Meiteis, peace means obliterating the Kukis. Indeed, peace will remain hostile to a place where reason has no place.