As we celebrate International Woman’s Day there is an urgent need of introspection of political role of women in our society. Since the ethnic clashes broke out, there has been a sustained campaign against the women Meira Paibis of Manipur and the role played by them in the present ethnic conflict.
One needs to look back at certain historical events which had helped shape both the collective and individual identity of Meitei woman. Leaders and scholars talk about the role played by women in the socio-economic sector and how trade and economic activities are run and managed mostly by women, besides being the torch-bearers of the human rights movement in the state and of the lead role played by market women in two Nupilals against the British Raj in 1904 and 1939.
When they faced the bayonets of soldiers under British command, they were defiant. When the armed forces powered by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) were riding roughshod over the general population in the valley, it was the women Meira Paibis who were in the fore-front confronting the armed forces. This is the facet of Meitei women we see in collective action and the political space.
The political being in Meitei women also gave birth to the Nishaband movement in the late 70s due to increase in cases of familial strife and domestic violence associated with widespread alcoholism among the men-folk and of course drug addiction. The Nishabandis held patrolling during the night in their respective Leikais carrying lanterns and chastised the intoxicated men-folk. And this Nishaband movement transformed into the Meira Paibi movement which began in the 80s.
There always had been a gap in trying to understand the Meitei woman and hence the Meira Paibis. One must understand that a keen sense of justice and defiance against subjugation or oppression is embedded in the political consciousness of Meitei women. However, a maternal instinct is always involved in her actions. In 1904, they were up against the British as British tried to engage the men-folk of Imphal and surrounding areas in force labour and unjustified punitive action.
In 1939, the hunger and starvation among men and children caused by artificially induced food scarcity as a result of colonial policy was one of the major factors leading to the Second Nupilal. In the 80s, it was the umbilical strain caused by widespread cases of arrests and torture, enforced disappearances, rape and staged encounters of their sons and daughters. Despite the constant face-offs in the hey-days of insurgency movement and counter-insurgency operations in the valley, the Meira Paibis were once held in awe and respect borne either out of fear or otherwise by the security forces.
All along, they had always adopted a conciliatory approach towards the Meira Paibis in an effort to win them over. So, it is indeed strange to see a change of attitude among the security forces. Yes, they must have been disappointed at the mistrust shown to them in the present ethnic conflict. But when two parties are at war and their role is of a peacemaker, they must not only be non-partisan but also seen as non-partisan. And it is for them to take corrective steps to gain the trust once more.
Meanwhile, as the Meira Paibis feel their sons and men are unjustly treated and security forces are siding with the other party they will remain defiant. Confronting the security forces during combing operations or midnight arrests or snatching back the arrested youths from their clutches is not a new thing for the Meira Paibis. They have been doing it all along since the 80s.
In the present ethnic strife, they had a gut feeling that central forces are siding with Kukis who keep on taking pot-shots on Meiteis in the peripheral villages and furthering the tension and their maternal instinct is provoked. So, they come out in the streets blocking roads and movement of the central forces even to the extent of checking the ID cards of the personnel, which is unheard of anywhere. Yet, it is happening. Once their maternal instincts are aroused, no one dare stop them. So, call them ‘biased’ or ‘violent vigilantes’ or anything you like. They will continue to carry the torch.
