Unveiling the Quest; Advocating for a Separate Homeland

If history has taught us anything,it is the fact,proven time and again that the only possible means of escape from the shackles of slavery, subjugation and suppression is through radical manifestation in varying nuances; revolution, insurrection, upheaval etc, or as in the case of India, Civil disobedience or non-cooperation. The principles of civil disobedience championed by Gandhi galvanised millions of Indians to challenge the might of British supremacy through peaceful resistence and nonviolent protest. One could attribute the success of india’s freedom movement to the effective machinery of Civil disobedience and non-cooperation policy. Its practicality is indubitable, as consistently demonstrated by Gandhiji in numerous agitations. He understood consciously the efficacy of social disobedience and its implications on the administration as a whole. Gandhi genuinely knew and pointed out that the British’s continuing subjugation of India was possible only because of the cooperation of the Indian people. He went on to assert that the British administration would collapse within a matter of weeks if Indians ceased to cooperate unanimously. Hence he laid emphasis on Swadeshi and renunciation of the western adaptation of life to sever attachment and dependence upon the British, his objective being an eventual dissociation from the British hegemony.

Gandhi was successful with his experimentation on ‘Non-Cooperation/ Civil disobedience’ approach; leading a series of mass participation, the likes of which have never been seen before. It didn’t take long for the British to realise that their grip over India had noticeably weakened, and an expeditious transfer of power to responsible Indian hands would be most pragmatic. In his private letter addressed to Ernest Bevin in 1947, Clement Attlee remarked and I quote, “It would be quite impossible for a few hundred British to administer against the active opposition of the whole of the politically minded population”. Realising the gravity of the situation Attlee and his cabinet didn’t waste time in granting independence to India.

Taking into account the expediency with which Gandhi advanced his cause, and the legitimacy of ‘non-cooperation/civil disobedience’ strategy employed by Gandhi that pressurised the Colonial Govt into meeting the demands of the Indian people, let us draw a parallel to our ongoing crusade for Separate Administration. It has almost been a year since the Kuki-Zo community grappled with the atrocities of the Meitei community, but the Central Govt is yet to release a formal statement of condemnation let alone address our grievances. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)’s disingenuity concerning Manipur is rather appalling and unbecoming of the symbollic divinity it represents. Given the close affiliations with the Central govt. that the CM of Manipur enjoys, it is a no-brainer that the Central govt. will pay close heed to his appetite. This explains why after thousands of displaced and inhuman atrocities meted out to the Kukis, no arrest has been made so far in the valley. It also explains the reluctance of the Central govt. to impose Presidential Rule despite the incontestable evidence of a constitutional breakdown.

Inconsistent to the nonchalant, sometimes biased attitude displayed by the Central govt. we the Kuki-Zo community continue to parade to the tune of the centre’s direction for want of some form of ‘pat in the back’ from the Central govt ; postponement and relocation of funeral date and site of our Martyrs, dismantling our much revered cross planted at Thangting hills to alleviate tensions and some of the many cases. None of these gestures seemingly deter the Central govt to taking cognizance of our cause. Two parliamentary sessions have ebbed and flowed and the Manipur questions have been successfully evaded. By now it would be safe to assume that the Central govt. harbours no sympathy to the plight of the Kuki-Zo community.

This brings us to the questions; does cooperation still hold any relevancy in our endeavour for a Separate Administration? Is there a promise of reward for our servility? Pardon my ignorance but the pulse of a young blood tells me a more passive-agressive if not radical approach will do more service to our demand than the conventional ‘wait and watch’. Can you picture a free India where freedom fighters submit to the wisdom of its rulers? Can you picture a full-fleged Mizoram state where the Mizos fall in line to the tune of the erstwhile ruling govt?

It is natural for kids to act erratic and act-up to their parents when making demands, throwing tantrums and creating an atmosphere of inconvenience for their parents until their demands are met, righteously oblivious to the financial constraints of their parents. Regardless, kids know theirs is the most effective means to meet their ends.

In light of the above analogy, it is our constitutional rights as citizens of India to aspire for our “rights to live with dignity”(Article-21). Reclaimation of our land which is a symbollic representation of our tribal ‘dignity’ should be our utmost priority, followed by disassociation from Manipur to preserve our cultural heritage and language(Article 29),which has been undermined and censured by the Manipur govt. To realise this goal, it is imperative that we sever all ties with Manipur and adopt a systematic passive resistance, similar in form and spirit to that ritualised by Gandhi. To quote an old adage “strike the iron while it is hot”, it would be foolish to not be opportunistic at this juncture and make the mistake of relying on prophecies and empty promises. The onus lies on our leaders to formulate plans of action for mass mobilisation for the realisation of our goal.

“Rise,brave souls, in freedom’s name. With hearts ablaze, ignite the flame. Through darkness deep, let courage soar. For liberty’s worth, we dare explore.”