By: A. Bimol Akoijam
To all those denizens of Manipur who are offended or hurt by the manner in which the “mainstream”, the “national media” and “politicians” at the “Centre” have “neglected” or “marginalized” Sharmila’s fast…
BUT IS THE ISSUE FOR WHICH SHARMILA IS ON FAST A TANGIBLE POLITICAL ISSUE THAT DESERVES THEIR ATTENTION?
THINK ABOUT THIS: Only a few years back, one of your brothers burnt himself to death while some of your “Imas” (mothers) had stripped in public and yes, Sharmila has been on a fast for a decade now…”the people” in traditional attires (such as pungou faneks, feijoms and colourful ethnic dresses) and children in school uniforms formed human chains in protest against AFSPA…
BUT…
SOON AFTER THAT, “THE PEOPLE” VOTED BACK TO POWER A PARTY LED BY A MAN WHOM MANY SEEMINGLY HATE AND IRONICALLY ENVY AT THE SAME TIME — HAVEN’T YOU HEARD HOW PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THOSE RICH MEN…CONTRACTORS, HANGER-ONS OF POLITICIANS AND OFFICIALS IN POWER? — OVERWHELMINGLY FOR NOT EVEN MENTIONING AFSPA IN HIS PARTY’S ELECTION MANIFESTOS!
INDEED, IS THE ISSUE FOR WHICH SHARMILA IS ON FAST A TANGIBLE POLITICAL ISSUE FOR THE PEOPLE OF MANIPUR?
OH YES, ELECTIONS ARE ROUND THE CORNER…
I AM SURE EVEN THE PIMPS AND PROSTITUTES KNOW WHAT AFFECTS THEIR SENSE OF DIGNITY AND WILL FIGHT FOR THEIR SELF-RESPECT AND WELL-BEING, DESPITE THE PREJUDICES AGAINST THEM…
I HOPE THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN “THEORY” BUT KNOW THE “GROUND REALITY” AND ALWAYS DO “ACTIONS”, A RESULT OF WHICH IS WHAT WE SEE AS MANIPUR AS IT STANDS TODAY ALSO KNOW THE SAME!
