New Delhi: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi made an impassioned appeal to the people of Manipur to bring back “peace and harmony” to the state that has witnessed violent ethnic clashes for nearly two months now.
“Brothers and Sisters of Manipur,” Sonia began the nearly three-minute video, talking about the “great human tragedy” unfolding in the state.
“The unprecedented violence that has devastated the lives of people in your state and uprooted thousands has left a deep wound in the conscience of our nation. I express my condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones. I am deeply saddened to see people forced to flee the only place they call home and leave behind all that they have built over a lifetime,” Gandhi said.
The Congress leader said it was heartbreaking to see brothers and sisters who have coexisted peacefully turn against each other.
Gandhi’s message comes at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing criticism for his silence on the crisis in Manipur. The Congress has also mounted its attack on the government’s failure to control the violence.
“The history of Manipur stands testimony to her ability to embrace people of all ethnicities, religions and backgrounds and the myriad possibilities over diverse society. It takes tremendous trust and goodwill to nurture the spirit of brotherhood and a single mistake to fan the feelings of hate and divisiveness,” she said.
She said the state was at a vital crossroad today because the people’s choice to embark on the path of peace would shape the future children will inherit.
She appealed to the people – “especially to my brave sisters” – to lead the way in bringing peace and harmony to this beautiful land.
“As a mother I understand your pain and I appeal to your good conscience to lead the way. It is my sincere hope that over the coming weeks and months we set out on the long journey of rebuilding trust and emerge stronger from this struggle. I have immense hope and faith in the people of Manipur and I know that together we will overcome this ordeal,” Gandhi said.
Over 100 people have died in ethnic clashes in BJP-governed Manipur since 3 May, when a protest rally was brought out against the Manipur High Court’s suggestion that Scheduled Tribe status be granted to the majority Meiteis, who live in the Valley.
This angered the Kuki tribe in the hills, who took out a march against this order in the hill district of Churachandpur, but this quickly escalated into widespread clashes.
The perpetrators and victims of the violence come from both communities — the Meitei, who are the majority in the Imphal valley and mostly Hindu, and the Kuki tribes, who are primarily Christians and inhabit the state’s hill districts.
Last week, the peace committee formed by the central government to initiate dialogue between the communities collapsed before it even took off. Neither the Meitei nor the Kuki want to participate in talks until the fighting comes under control.
However, the reason why the fires have been so difficult to contain is that Manipur was already a tinderbox of ethnic tension, centred primarily on land.
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