Imphal, March 18: The Manipur Research Forum (Imphal & Delhi) is organizing a colloquium on the theme Militarism and Future of Democracy in Manipur from 12:00 noon of March 24 till 04:45 pm of March 26. This colloquium organized in collaboration with the Department of Philosophy, Manipur University, Canchipur; All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union, Imphal; Human Rights Alert, Imphal and Indian Council of Social Science Research-NERC, Shillong; will be held at the Senate Hall Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal.
According to an emailed statement, the colloquium aims at understanding violence that has become a way of life in Manipur. It will discuss the issue of militarism that goes beyond the visibility or invisibility of the armed forces and groups besides analysing how violence gets reflected in the cultural life of the people. The three-day event will deliberate on how violent trends came to be accepted while acknowledging the fact that they are aberration of principles and practices of democracy. It further maintained that while dealing with violence and militarism, the colloquium will make an effort to understand the dynamics of Indian state and unmask its discourse, rationale and imperatives. It will examine the “right to development” as a political discourse rather than mere avenues of employment, per capita growth, income generation, and above all, the symbol of progress. Another important issue the event will also review is the role of the State and civil society organisations keeping in mind that their functioning ought to be built on democratic platform and debate rather than intimidation.
The three-day colloquium will also explore the relationships between media and democracy. It will map out the mounting challenges faced by people in restoring the role of media as a vanguard of democracy. Finally, the colloquium aims towards exploring the contents and methods that may initiate political processes where democracy as principles and practices are respected and adhered to.
Prominent speakers and commentarors for the colloquium include Prof. Soyam Lokendrajit, Prof. N. Joykumar Singh, Dr. R.K. Ranjan, Dr. Ch. Priyoranjan Singh, Prof. E. Bijoykumar Singh, all from Manipur University. Dr. Lokendra Arambam, Justice C. Upendra, (Retd. Judge), col. Haobam Bhubon (retd.), Dr. Bhagat Oinam and Dr. A. Bimol Akoijam (JNU), Dr. H. Dwijasekher Sharma, Radhabinod Koijam MLA, Dr. M Nara, political activist, Dr. Khumujam Ratan, Malem Ningthouja (CPDM), Dr. Namrata Goswami, (IDSA), Brojendro Ningomba, B.B. Sharma (AIR), Y. Rupachandra (ISTV), Irengbam Arun, Dr. Ch. Silaramani Devi, Grace Jajo, (FIPA), Nonibala Narembam (IRDSO), Dr. Homen Thangjam, Mr. Pradip Phanjoubam (Imphal Free Press). Mr. R.K. Anand, Mr. Khelen Thokchom (The Telegraph) and many more.
