One should remember a single moment of discord can shatter decades of hard-earned harmony.
Violence has been erupting in different states, which seems to be pre planned and a method seems to exist in the madness. Manipur in May and June, Haryana now. Was Manipur preplanned as to prove that the false propaganda that India is unsafe for its minorities and women, exactly when PM Modi was visiting the US. Now every year this yatra takes place in Haryana why this year and now before the G20 summit in Delhi and to dent India’s image of being a favored as an investment destination. What surprises one is timing and the way ecosystem echoes it collectively. All this is with the fear of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and its results. Rather such preplanned attacks will be detrimental to those who are echoing and supporting this violence.
The selective uproar against the rape of women is something that leads to politicization of a heinous crime. Rajasthan has the highest number of rape cases. So why is there no condemnation of the state by the ecosystem? Rape anywhere is to be condemned. Is there anything secular if it happens in Opposition ruled states? This has to change.
The continuing crisis in Manipur is a stark reminder of the numerous domestic and foreign challenges India grapples with in the Northeast. Since gaining independence, New Delhi has faced the formidable task of integrating the North Eastern states into the nation. Independent India has faced a host of complex issues: encompassing security concerns, developmental hurdles, narcotics trade, illegal activities, ethnic violence, unlawful immigration, cross-border terrorism, religious conversions, and tribal conflicts. Each of these challenges is profound in its own right, and successive governments in New Delhi have encountered the daunting combination of these issues across almost all states in the region.
Despite witnessing remarkable growth in infrastructure development, improved connectivity, and increased per capita incomes over the last decade, the shadow of these challenges looms large. Table 1 shows the commendable growth in per capita income across these states. For example, Manipur’s per capita income doubled from Rs 39,762 to Rs 84,345. At the same time, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura experienced a threefold increase in their per capita NSDP within the same period. Moreover, violence related incidents had significantly decreased, leading to the removal of vast areas from the purview of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), leaving only a handful of districts still affected.
Yet, security issues remain potent disruptors and challenges to state authority. In addition, there is an increasing challenge coming from transnational crimes, particularly drug trade and smuggling. While these crimes may initially be viewed as petty, their ramifications are far-reaching, laying the groundwork for more severe dangers like terrorism, organized violence, and societal decay. The border villages and towns in the seven sister states bear the brunt of the insidious influence of the infamous Golden Triangle. Many studies have pointed out how Manipur and Mizoram, in particular, have become parts of the notorious Golden Triangle. This has resulted in the influx of large quantities of arms into these states, ostensibly to protect drug trafficking routes. However, these very weapons eventually end up being misused by the locals, settling personal rivalries with dire consequences for the communities.
The situation exacerbates existing societal tensions, and the unholy nexus between drugs and arms gives rise to escalated violence. Minor conflicts are manipulated and given ethnic, racial, or tribal colour, deflecting attention from the core issue of drugs while allowing the illicit network to flourish. As a result, these states have witnessed an alarming per capita armament, further perpetuating the cycle of violence. Both sides are equally to blame and with external actors like China and the drug cartels involved.
Compounding the problem is the deeply polarized nature of politics in India, which hampers constructive policy debates and discussions in the region. Moreover, the involvement of the Church and evangelical groups that have transnational linkages has added fuel to the fire, disturbing social harmony. As a result, religious identities have become more pronounced over the years, with incidents of forced conversions rising. While some may interpret these conversions as religious freedom, it is evident that they often involve unscrupulous methods involving coercion and economic incentives.
In the face of such vexing problems that have plagued the region, the path to viable solutions remains fraught with difficulty and cannot be achieved overnight. The region’s vulnerability lies in its porous borders, facilitating infiltration and smuggling. Remarkably, a mere five per cent of these borders are presently fenced, underscoring the pressing need for action. As such, one proposed solution is the implementation of advanced smart borders, which promises to effectively keep potential threats and ensure the security of its citizens. Illegal migration poses a formidable challenge for countries transitioning from developing to developed economies, enticed by the plethora of economic opportunities. From a broader perspective, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) can be perceived as a generous measure driven by the aim to strike a delicate equilibrium between safeguarding the rights of Indian citizens and extending refuge to those seeking safe haven from their home countries. Critics, however, tend to criticize such decisions from a moral standpoint, often overlooking the complexities of public policy-making.
Nevertheless, installing robust borders is necessary to establish law and order and foster a secure environment for all citizens. Striking a balance between compassion and pragmatic policy-making is vital to finding lasting solutions that safeguard the well-being of the region and its people.
An additional measure of concern that demands immediate attention is the need to tackle half-truths and misinformation that pervade reporting on the region. Regrettably, economic success stories that genuinely impact the lives of the public often go underreported and fail to circulate widely. Conversely, negative incidents receive undue attention from foreign media, painting a skewed image of India and Indians. Manipur serves as a grim reminder of the challenges we face, transcending ideological boundaries. Condemnation of such events is imperative, as is their exposure, but exploiting them as political tools exhibit insensitivity and undermines the gravity of the situation. It is not just an internal security issue but also national security due to geopolitical reasons of the drug infested Golden Triangle and the role of China funding the extremist groups with light weapons and small arms.
Drawing inspiration from the words of former US President John F. Kennedy, who urged citizens to ask not what their country can do for them but what they can do for their country, we must collectively seek ways to rectify the issues in Manipur and the broader Northeast. There is a need for dialogue, empathy and education. More than ever, there is a need to listen to others and find solutions. The youth of the country need to be sensitized about issues, concerns, and challenges that India faces. The change we all seek would happen not by screaming and spitting angry jibes but by reaching out for solutions. By combating misinformation, one sided propaganda and demonizing the other, holding the truth in high regard, and taking concrete actions, we can pave the way toward a brighter future for Manipur and the entire Northeast. It takes all sides to be committed to peaceful resolutions.
The recent violence and harrowing incidents in Manipur are an unpleasant wake-up call, underscoring the deep-seated divisions and fault lines that persist within our nation and society and at the critical crossroads of national and regional security. It is no secret that malicious actors will exploit these vulnerabilities to our detriment. One should remember a single moment of discord can shatter decades of hard-earned harmony. In these challenging circumstances, the responsibility falls upon us to rectify the situation and ensure such tragedies never befall anyone again. Women, the creators of life, hold a special place in the Indic culture, a testament to our cherished diversity. It is imperative that we move beyond mere politics and empty virtue signalling, instead focusing on tangible actions that bring about positive change. Rather than playing the blame game, we must urgently address the root problems and take decisive measures to resolve them. By standing together and working collectively, we can ensure that the spectre of tragedy is banished and our nation moves forward in strength and solidarity.
Professor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is Vice Chancellor, JNU.