Socialist’s idea of “Cooperative Economic Society” was put into some form of practices 850 years before Karl Marx, claims the proscribed outfit.
TFM Desk
People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK-Pro) would be observing its 13th Progressive Day on June 1. On the eve of the occasion, the proscribed PREPAK (Pro) in a press release paid respects and gratitude to those “brave sons of the soil who have sacrificed their lives in the liberation struggle for an independent Kangleipak”.
“On this auspicious day, our party also shares the grief and sorrow of those families affected by this ongoing unfortunate conflict. Having said this, I would like to share few of my thoughts on this occasion”, said PREPAK (Pro).
The proscribed outfit stated that Indian constitution does not provide provisions of self-governance based on their socio-political cultures for those once independent nations like Manipur. The fate of Manipur is unpredictable as India happens to be an “indestructible union of destructible states”, the question arises whether to find solution for the present crises within this discriminatory constitution or finding out the truth by understanding our own history, said the press note.
The outfit also pointed out that the British as well as the Indian State having no knowledge of the long history of Manipur eventually paved the way for the rupture of the historically integrated social fabrics. There were no oppressive records rather the then Meitei Kings gave full autonomy to the various ethnic communities, said PREPAP (Pro).
“The harmonious cultural bondage between inter-communities was slowly fractured with the introduction of administrative system of British and India. With the end of Khongjom War, British occupied Manipur and wanted to avenge the Meiteis. Keeping this in their mindsets, the British began formulating policies that were detrimental to the unity of Manipur as a nation. As far as the present Manipur is concerned, the Narco-Terrorist War Lords of some communities must know our geographical reality that the valley and the hills are inseparable as its history and culture are bonded topographically. Therefore, any attempt to challenge this reality will be ferociously resisted by the Meiteis as it is becoming the existential crisis for them”, added the proscribed group.
It further added that Manipur is a nation which was formed with the unification of numerous ethnic groups through a long process of history and those who question this reality are blindfolded by the influences of Western religion and Colonial rule. “In fact, there was no concept of Tribal in the independent Manipur. The Manipur Constitution Act 1947, which was drafted and enacted by all the representatives of different ethnic communities, the word “Hill People” was mentioned and the concept of Tribal was not at all mentioned. However, the Indian Government with the continuation of British Policy began segregation of numerous ethnic communities as Scheduled areas/Tribal areas as its usual disguised development policy. Such biased political policies led to the division of lands in various demands such as Autonomous Council and Separate Administration”, said the outfit.
India, completed 73 years of independence, is now fifth as a developing nation. According to the Indian Constitution’s ST criteria, only the tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are qualified to be in the Scheduled Tribes List. Will it not be better for us to find a new path for a common future for all the ethnic communities?, asked PREPAK (Pro)
Leaving aside the pros and cons of Hinduism, the question of patriotism has nothing to do with religion as it was shown by Maharaja Gambhir Singh, a devout Hindu, who shouted “Glory to Lord Govindaji” at the banks of Chindwin River when he defeated and drove the then Burmese invaders beyond the river. Most of the fighters in the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 and those of Two Nupi Lal were all Meitei Hindus. The present enmity amongst us is due to the ripple effect of the politicized Constitutional Protection concept, said PREPAK (Pro).
The proscribed outfit said that those who follow imported religions should remember the deceitful methods of Shantidas Gosai who began the infamous “Puya Meithaba” by entangling the then Meitei Rulers. “Therefore, desecration of holy places associated with our history and indigenous religion should not be undertaken. We shall not denigrate the Sanamahi religion, as it is a Universal religion not only confined to a particular community. It is a religion which does not have the concept of religious war, assimilation or prosecution”, said PREPAK (Pro).
“Just as in Hinduism, the idea of Universe as a wave particle in Quantum Physics and the famous “Big Bang Theory” are also found in Sanamhism and Meitei Puyas. We should not undervalue our tradition and religion. King Kangba, and his lineage, who ruled at about 1500 BCE until Axial Ages started formulating Socio-Religious norms and the judicial system. His son Mariya Phambalcha introduced the Meitei Calendar known as “Maliya Kumsing” which was useful in calculating various seasons of agricultural activities”, said the outfit.
It further stated that the people do not need the reference of Hindu Vedas, Bible or other Holy Books to verify the validity of Wakhoklon Puya, Leithak Leikharaol and other numerous Puyas.
Cheitharol Kumbaba, Chada Laihui and other Yek Salai Puyas were all written before the Unification of India as a Nation. Nongada Lairen Pakhangba’s (33 AD) political thoughts and practices were not copied from Plato of Greece. Eight hundred years before “Wealth of Nations: Division of Labour” of Adam Smith, King Loyumba wrote “Loyumba Sinyen”, a book of constitutionally allocation of occupation in the line of family names which is defined as “Division of Labour”, pointed out PREPAK (Pro).
“This book of constitution was not like the Hindu social stratification of caste system. Socialist’s idea of “Cooperative Economic Society” was put into some form of practices 850 years before Karl Marx. There was no scarcity of food, the customary apparel worn by Pakhangba and Queen Laisana during the coronation ceremony showed affluence of the time, claimed the outfit.
“1000 years before some of our fashion designers claimed to have introduced our designs to the World, King Keifaba’s Queen Mungbisu introduced the now famous Phanek Mapan Naiba design. King Kyamba did not learn his diplomatic skills with the Kingdom of Pong (Shan) from any Hindu Kings. Meidingu Khagemba’s policy of immigrant and Prisoners of War (PoW) settlement and citizenship were neither taken from Machiavelli’s Prince nor from Chanakya’s Arthashastra. King Pamheiba’s successful military expeditions were not to colonize other territories but to show the might of Meitei Kingdom instead”, said PREPAK (Pro).
If the then Pro-Hindu Meiteis were paupers, the popular India’s cultural elements like Ras Lila and Nat Sanskritan had not come about. Not like hard cultural dance of India, Manipuri style of dance is soft and spectacular which enhances not only Manipuri Culture but India’s culture as well, further added the outfit.
PREPAK (Pro) said that these historical facts are not taught in the schools. Once the present generation knows the history the people of Manipur will be more harmoniously living together. India is quite successful in instilling the mind-set that Manipur cannot survive without India to the present generation. “The people of Manipur, especially the Meities, are in a precarious situation as we are imprisoned politically and physically in the tiny valley. We should all strive to save Manipur as saving Meiteis can only save a united Manipur”, said PREPAK (Pro).