If you haven't paid attention to the situation in Manipur,
then you should.
Situation in Manipur.
Now additional forces were rushed to Manipur.
Scenes of destruction
in India's Northeastern Manipur state.
Here we come!
We are the indigenous people!
We gonna f**k you all!
Tensions meanwhile have escalated
in the Northeastern state
of Manipur in India.
Violent clashes broke out
at various places in Manipur
during the course of a Tribal Solidarity March.
Why is Manipur burning
and what can be done
to address the situation.
Manipur is currently on fire.
And unfortunately,
it is not Ram Gopal Varma's 'Aag'.
In the ongoing violence in Manipur,
approximately 54 people have been killed,
and the government
had even ordered shoot on site.
But either the media is not covering this violence,
or is mute like Bajrangi Bhaijaan's Munni,
or even if it is being covered,
it is being done with a lot of misinformation.
I try to know that when it is after all said
that there is a silent majority,
the majority community, which is silent,
who does not approve all this violence and communal division,
does not agree to it, does not accept it.
So how long will this silent majority remain silent?
That's the question I want to ask you today.
So let us understand in detail the reasons
behind the ongoing violence in Manipur today.
Let's try to clear up the misinformation
and explain why you should be paying
close attention to this issue.
🎶[Music]🎶
Hello, hello and a very warm welcome to this episode of the Sham Sharma Show.
I am the CEO of secularism, Sham Sharma
and a secular hello to all of you.
So see, to understand the violence
that is going on in Manipur at this time,
we have to understand the history of Manipur
and the history of the people of Manipur.
See, the geography of Manipur is very interesting.
The entire state of Manipur is basically hilly
and there is a valley in the center of Manipur.
Looking at the map of Manipur,
it basically looks like a Beyblade stadium.
The people of Meitei tribe live in Manipur,
which is the 53% population of Manipur
and are mostly Hindu
and this 53% population
lives in the Manipur Valley,
which is 10% of Manipur's land mass,
and this valley is also the most fertile area of Manipur.
The rest of the people of Manipur
are the Naga tribe and the Kuki tribe,
which is approximately 45% of Manipur's population
and they live in the hilly areas of Manipur.
Meitei Pangals also live in Manipur.
Who are mostly Muslim
and are around 8% of Manipur's population.
Historically there have been problems between Meitei Hindus and Meitei Pangals
and in 1993 there were riots between Meitei Hindu and Pangals
in which lot of people died.
Kuki and Naga tribes have maximum land in Manipur.
But in the 10% fertile land, Meitei Hindus live
and Meitei Hindus also have 40 out of 60 seats in the assembly.
Present day Manipur,
the three most important ethnic groups,
they are the Hindu Meiteis
who are primarily concentrated in the valley
and they are the most dominant numerically
and the Christian Naga communities,
they are mainly the residents of the hills.
The Kukis of Manipur
are relatively smaller in number
and almost all groups
of the Nagas and the Kukis in Manipur,
they have adopted Christianity as their religion.
In fact, Manipur has an old history of Hinduism.
The oldest recorded history
goes as far as 8th century.
And in 1704, the Hindu kings of Manipur
declared Hinduism as the official religion of Manipur.
In fact, the first Meitei king of Manipur's Royal Family,
whose name was Nongda Lairen Pakhangba,
his rule started from 33 AD and after him,
his 72 successors have ruled Manipur.
So, the Meitei Royal Family of Manipur
is the longest ruling dynasty of India.
We often talk about how the Ahoms in Assam
stopped the Mughal invasion.
In the same way even Meitei Hindus for centuries
have kept themselves safe from British and Christian missionaries.
The Meiteis are probably the only significant ethnic group
that has strongly resisted
the evangelist missions of The Church.
Because the Meiteis are primarily concentrated in the valley,
still not easily accessible for outsiders.
This has also been one of the important reasons
why the Meiteis have been able to preserve
their own distinct cultural traditions.
But at this time, in Manipur, Christianity
is the second fastest growing religion.
The increasing popularity
of Christianity in Manipur,
it can be understood from the fact
that today it is the second fastest growing religion in the state.
And if we are talking about the Christian population,
so let's talk about the Kukis too.
Kukis come from the Kuki-Chin-Mizo ethnic group,
which live in the hilly areas of Manipur,
also live in Mizoram,
and also come from the Sagaing and Chin provinces of Myanmar.
The Kuki population of Manipur is around 30%.
The population of the Nagas is around 15%.
They too are mostly Christian.
And for a very long time,
the areas in Manipur where Nagas live,
are demanding to connect those areas with Nagaland,
a demand which has been opposed by both the Kukis and Meiteis of Manipur.
There have been problems in Manipur between these three tribal groups.
In fact, in the 1990s,
the Naga group carried a very big attack on the Kukis,
where hundreds of Kukis were killed
and thousands of Kukis
had to leave their homes and villages.
So, there are often disagreements between the Kukis and the Nagas,
even fights take place
but because they are both Christians,
they often stand united against the Meiteis.
Because who can be a bigger enemy than Hindus?
Sir will continuously listen to Neha Kakar's songs for 24 hours,
but we will not support the Meiteis.
So, the problems between the Meiteis, Kukis, and the Nagas
are economic, ethnic, and religious too.
As I said earlier, the Kukis and Nagas complain
that the Meitei live on the most fertile land of Nagaland,
so using agriculture,
they have been more economically developed than the Nagas and Kukis.
But there are also some religious issues with them.
So, you might be wondering,
200-300 years ago, Manipur, which was 0% Christian,
where did such big Christian population come from?
See, up to 200-300 years ago,
there used to be a lot of cultural exchange between these tribes.
Historically, there are many records present which show
that there were also frequent marriages between the Naga and Meiteis communities.
And then comes the British.
British basically are those party guests
who come to your party uninvited.
They eat all your food
and then litter the whole house
and get going without cleaning.
So, when the British took over India and Manipur,
they immediately started sending missionaries in Manipur.
Established many churches.
Behind the missionary movement in Manipur,
there was a British missionary
named William Pettigrew.
He came to Manipur in 1894
and established many churches
and a primary school too.
The British Government gave Pettigrew a lot of money
to establish Christian educational institutions in Manipur.
Using this money, this power
and these educational institutions,
Pettigrew and his missionaries
started mass conversion activities in Manipur.
I am standing inside the Manipur Baptist Church,
the park of William Pettigrew, missionary.
And the result is that in 1911,
the Christian population of Manipur
was only 0.04% of the population.
If we look at the census of 2011,
then just in 100 years
it increased from 0.04% to 40%.
It was the Hindu Mates
who were very connected to their culture
and who had so many economic resources
that they could resist the Christian missionaries.
In fact, just as the story of Manipur,
is the story of the rest of North East.
Except Assam, people of almost all other states of North East
have been converted to Christianity.
Meiteis say that there is another problem with this
that the fertility rate of Meitei women
is much lower than that of Christian tribes.
Along with that, Meitei groups say
that a lot of illegal immigration from Myanmar
is also taking place in Manipur,
because of which Meitei Hindus
will become a minority in their own state.
If you look at Meghalaya,
the Christian population of Meghalaya
has gone from zero to 75.
The Christian population of Mizoram
has gone from zero to 90%.
Nagaland has become almost 100% Christian.
I swear, prophet Bajinder Singh
should learn something from the British.
Hallelujah!
So, we got to know some information
about the society of Manipur and the people of Manipur.
Now let's try to know
what is the reason behind the violence that is going on at this time?
So see, the Meitei community says
that they were given the status of Schedule Tribes in the British rule.
But because they were Hindus,
post independence
their Schedule Tribe status was taken back.
And perhaps you must be aware
that when any community
gets the status of Scheduled Tribe,
it gets some benefits.
Like seats are reserved for them in Panchayat,
seats are reserved for them in Assembly.
Seats are reserved for them in the Lok Sabha as well.
And term loan,
Tribal Women Empowerment Scheme,
Tribal Education Loan Scheme,
which is an education loan scheme,
micro credit scheme,
Tribal Forest Dwellers Empowerment Scheme.
Schedule Tribes get the benefit of all these schemes.
Which Meitei tribes are not getting at this time.
On top of that, the Meitei tribes
say that in 1960,
the Manipur Land Act was passed,
according to which Kukis and Nagas living in the hilly areas
could buy land in Manipur's valley where the Meiteis live.
But those who are Meiteis
cannot go to the hilly areas and buy land.
What kind of justice is this my Lord?
There is a big highway connecting Manipur to the rest of India,
which is called the National Highway 2.
The Meitei say, to get their demands fulfilled,
the hill-dwelling Kukis and Nagas,
often block the National Highway 2,
putting a lot of economic pressure on Manipur.
The All Manipur Tribal Development Grievances Forum
or AMTDGF,
has called for an indefinite economic blockade
along national highways in the hill districts.
The AMTDGF is demanding the release
of all pending funds under MGNREGA.
The economic blockade imposed
by the United Naga Council in Manipur
had its impact on day one with both highways
leading into Manipur's capital, Imphal being blocked
and fuel being rationed across Imphal.
Meiteis also say,
to get their demands satisfied,
the other tribes
have often attacked the Meiteis.
In the history of Manipur,
there are some unfortunate incidents,
which also support this claim of the Meiteis.
At one point there used to be a sizable Tamil community in Manipur.
These people in pre-independence India
went to trade and business in Myanmar,
and after independence
settled near the Myanmar border in Manipur.
There some Kuki groups
started extorting Tamil businessmen
and started attacking them.
In which many Tamils even died.
Similarly, some Nepali Gurkhas
were also settled in Manipur,
against whom, the Kuki groups resorted to violence
and drove them out of Manipur.
Keeping the history of violence in mind,
let us now talk
about why violence is happening at this time.
So see in February this year,
Manipur Government
vacated a Kuki village called K. Songjang in Churachandpur District.
The government said that this village
is situated in the Churachandpur Khoupum protected forest,
which is legally not allowed.
The State Government of Manipur
believes that thousands of Kukis
are immigrating illegally from Myanmar to Manipur,
and are settling in the protected forest land.
State Government and Meitei Organizations
believe that because of this
the population of Kukis in Myanmar
is increasing very fast.
They say that the very delicate demographic balance
of Manipur is getting upset.
I feel now the indigenous people
of Manipur have started knowing
the gravity of seriousness of influx.
In fact, Meitei groups also believe
that the illegal Kuki immigrants coming from Myanmar
are also joining the Kuki militant groups
and also threatening to attack the Meitei community.
That's why Meitei community believes
that Scheduled Tribe status is very important for them.
To save their land, their traditions,
their culture, and their language.
Until such illegal immigration is not stopped,
then Scheduled Tribe status
will also give them reservation in education and government jobs.
Meiteis on the other hand say,
that ST status is not for reservation in jobs and education
but it is more about protecting
the ancestral lands, culture,
and the identity of their people.
Also, to enable the Meiteis
to buy land in Manipur's hilly areas.
If included in the ST list,
Meiteis will be able to purchase land
in hill areas inhabited by tribals.
Kuki and Nagas
believe that the Meitei community
already has a lot
of political and economic influence.
If they are given the Scheduled Tribe status,
their power and influence
will increase more in Manipur.
See, here I want to give
a hotter take than the Delhi heat.
I believe that in every Indian state,
Hindus should be in majority.
Only then India's culture, traditions,
and national integrity can be saved.
We all have seen that in any area of India
where the population of Abrahamic religions has increased,
that area gradually gets cut off from India.
In Pakistan and Bangladesh
as soon as Muslims came in large majority,
that area got cut off from India.
We saw the same in Kashmir.
In areas like Kerala and West Bengal,
we are seeing the same.
This is the Muslim community's land,
So they say, we cannot give way for this.
Breaking the altar, a tomb was made.
As of now 7 bighas of land is with the Muslims,
Neither leaving the land...
Making it into Bangladesh.
They say after some days, will have to run from here.
Even in areas like Bihar
where Hindus are in large population,
in areas where Muslims are in large population,
even there we are seeing a similar situation.
Close to more than 200 houses have been burnt.
And not even one--
It consists of the most extremely backward,
homes of Harijan and Mahadalit.
And it is not a sudden fire,
it is a well worked out fire.
That is the house of a Muslim over there.
Look here, there is a Harijan's house,
not a single house is left.
Meitei social groups have said
that in the last few years,
because of illegal immigration,
1,000 new Kuki villages
have already come up in Manipur.
That's why in Manipur as soon as possible
National Register of Citizens, i.e. NRC
should be implemented.
So that it can be determined
that how many people
have come illegally from Myanmar and Bangladesh
and settled in Manipur after 1951.
And they should be sent back to their respective countries.
So that the delicate demographic balance of Manipur can be preserved.
And see, I fully support this demand.
Because according to me
it is necessary to maintain the Hindu majority of Manipur.
So that Manipuri culture
and Manipuri tradition can be preserved.
And because Manipur is a border state,
it can also protect India's national integrity.
So it is because of these demand
the Kuki and Naga tribes have a problem.
So, on April 19th, the Manipur High Court,
after the hearing of the Meitei Tribe Union,
gave a recommendation to the State Government
to include the Meitei community in the ST list.
A decades-long fault line
is reopening in Manipur
against a High Court's direction
to the State Government
on the inclusion of Meiteis
in the Scheduled Tribes category,
which came in March this year.
The High Court said that the Meitei community
needed constitutional safeguards against outsiders trespassing into their territory
and to oppose this order,
thousands of Kukis and Nagas
under the banner of the All Tribal Students Union
began solidarity marches.
The Church of Manipur
has also supported them in this.
And not only the Church of Manipur,
the Arch Bishop of Bangalore
has also given a letter of support.
Had heard about "Begani Shaadi mein Abdullah Deewana",
seeing "Begani Shaadi mein Peter Deewana" for the first time.
And during the same march,
a common mob allegedly
attacked the people of Meitei community,
in response to which, the Meitei community retaliated back
and this series of violence was triggered.
The condition became so bad
that 8,000 people had to be evacuated.
Internet services were suspended.
Section 144 of CrPC was imposed.
And the army was also called.
Now see, all the three tribes should sit together and solve this matter
with the help of the Central Government and State Government.
All tribes should also support stopping illegal immigration.
NRC should also be supported.
So that this matter can be resolved.
But there are some people
who want to keep Manipur burning forever.
As I said, Manipur is a border state,
and creating violence in the border state,
destabilizing the border state,
is a good opportunity for the enemies of India.
Congress has already started
giving divisive statements,
to make this situation even worse.
Some Kuki groups,
especially some people from Pakistan and Gulf countries,
are trying to spread misinformation about the situation in Manipur.
So that violence in Manipur increases even more.
May Manipur continue to burn like this
and after reaching the international media
increase the misinformation more.
And see, it is important to understand
why at this time,
efforts are being made to destabilize Manipur.
Because in the last few years,
Manipur is actually developing very well.
See the story of Manipur
in post independent India,
it is a very tragic story.
One is, the people of Manipur
have to face racism from the people of rest of India.
On top of that,
no development was taking place even in their own state.
The Government of Manipur
and the Central Government
only used to make different tribes fight with each other.
There was no development of the state.
Whatever state-sponsored welfare schemes were there,
they used to not reach the people.
The people of Manipur had basically accepted
that our state will always remain backward.
We will always fight with each other.
Only insurgency and militancy will continue in our state.
Only corruption will continue.
We do not even have basic infrastructure.
Our life is just this.
But when the BJP Government came in 2017,
they started the system of transformation of Manipur.
They started reducing
the disparity and inequality between the hilly areas and the valley.
Started developing infrastructure projects all over the state.
Started building schools.
Started developing health infrastructure.
BJP's Biren Singh government,
they started developing strict timelines,
to finish long-term infrastructural projects.
Presently at a record speed,
highways, roads, and bridges are being created all over Manipur.
And under the Act East Policy of the Central Government,
Manipur is basically being developed as a gateway for trade from South East Asia.
So that Manipur develops as an important trade,
manufacturing, and logistics hub for the entire North East.
Along with that,
insurgent groups are also being contacted,
and they are being explained
that let's end this insurgency and militancy by negotiating.
And along with that, the army and the police
are also being given a free hand
to end the militancy as soon as possible.
And the militants should be explained
that either you come and join
the development of Manipur or perish.
Prime Minister Modi has also announced
that he wants to make Manipur
a sports hub of the country.
Want to develop sports persons of Manipur
into Olympic gold medal winners.
A National Sports University is being setup in Manipur.
In all the 16 districts of Manipur,
Khelo India Centers are being developed.
A 10-acre Olympic park will also be developed in Manipur,
in which state-of-the-art,
world-class facilities will be developed,
so that state level players
can be developed into international level athletes.
And if you see its result,
it was recently reported that Manipur
had reached the top rank in NITI Aayog's India Innovation Index.
India Innovation Index
is basically a comprehensive tool,
which evaluates and develops the innovation ecosystem of the country.
So finally, after 70 years, development is taking place in Manipur.
The violence and problems between different tribes in Manipur
are also being settled.
So that's why there are some enemy countries,
some vested interests, some politicians
who, instead of solving this violence peacefully,
are trying to incite it further,
so that Manipur can be destabilized.
See, I believe that Manipur
needs to remain a Hindu majority state.
I believe that the illegal immigration
that is happening from Myanmar,
to end that, all the three tribes should support
and instead of inciting this violence,
by pacifying this violence,
the way Manipur is developing,
that development needs to be encouraged.
And I want to ask you, according to you,
for this violence that is taking place
what is the best way to end and calm this matter?
Do let me know in the comment section below.
Like Manipur, if you want to see how UP,
which used to be a sick state, is developing,
click here to watch that video.
Rest I will meet you in the next episode.
Till then, stay healthy, stay happy. See you again
and a secular salute to all of you.