Today, as the first votes are cast in India’s general election, the spotlight naturally turns to the bustling political activities across the country.
Today, as the first votes are cast in India’s general election, the spotlight naturally turns to the bustling political activities across the country. Yet, in the remote north-eastern state of Manipur, a contrasting scene unfolds, marked not by fervent public rallies but by a conspicuous silence borne out of fear. Manipur, along with most other north-eastern states, step into the electoral process today alongside Tamil Nadu in the south.
Unlike the rest, though, Manipur carries the weight of on-going strife and the palpable fear of violence. Manipur’s quiet streets during this significant democratic exercise are a tell-tale sign of the deep-seated troubles that have plagued the state. Ethnic tensions between the majority Meitei community and the minority Kuki-Zo tribes have escalated into a violent conflict that the Centre and the BJP-ruled state seems unable to quell. The state, split into two hostile enclaves, is a stark representation of the failure to foster peace and unity. The situation in Manipur is not just a local issue but a test of India’s ability to manage its internal affairs.
The promise of democracy is to provide a voice to all its constituents, yet the people of Manipur feel forgotten, their grievances largely unaddressed. The Centre’s responses, including strategic changes to border policy and security measures, have thus far not mitigated the tensions, and in some cases, may even have exacerbated them. The general elections are a time of hope and change, yet for many in Manipur, the vote casts a shadow rather than light. Despite the despair, there is a reluctant drive among the people to participate in the voting process. This dichotomy underscores a critical aspect of democracy: the right to vote, which is both a privilege and a powerful tool for expressing an opinion. Whether this democratic change will bring about change though remains in question.
The local support for the BJP points to a complex interplay of resigned acceptance and hopeful expectation that the Union government will eventually intervene more constructively. The Congress party’s promises to bridge the community divisions if elected offer an alternative, but whether this can convert into electoral gain or meaningful change is uncertain. Manipur’s electoral significance may seem minor on the national scale with its two seats in the Lok Sabha. Yet, the state’s current turmoil is a significant indicator of the broader challenges facing India’s democracy.
It is a reminder that the strength of a nation’s democratic process is tested not at the height of its peaceful gatherings but in the quiet corners where fear and conflict overshadow the fundamental and democratic act of voting. As India votes, it must not forget Manipur. The true measure of this election’s success will lie in how it addresses the silent challenges unfolding in such neglected regions, ensuring that every part of the country can partake of the democratic promise of peace, security, and prosperity.
Source: The Statesman, 19/04/24
