“Nothing is hidden that will not be made known; nothing is secret that will not come to light,” from Dan Brown’s line is not merely a metaphysical spirituality found in the Bhagavad Gita, Koran and the Bible as much it is also a law of nature. What is happening in the State of Manipur has been globalized for the wrong reasons. Human groups may think that certain actions, no matter how evil it may be, are justifiable in order to reach goals. The actors and the followers find theoretical justification in their given moments of their interests. Today, the Machiavellian historical justification of means is countered with a resounding Kantian, “NO.” The Kantian “religious truth” exposes the failures of all established powers as it is confronted both with internal guilt and shame and external consequences purely of one’s making.
Let alone a cultural grouping, in the case of the ongoing Manipur narrative, all stakeholders, governments, organizations, religious bodies and man and woman are morally involved and we must bear this shame without the twist of “buts” and “ifs.” Urgently, we are in need of transcending “good and bad” moralization to naming the evil of every kind – hate to arrogance, pride to anger, lies to deception, violation of human dignity to violence, inherent in humanity.
The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) appeals to the people of Manipur in particular, the neighboring communities and the citizens of India as a whole to go beyond interpreting the “happenings” in Manipur to changing the situation. From interpreting through various narratives, depending on the position of the narrators, to owning responsibilities to what has been created in Manipur.
We must note that “force” of any kind – be it army or governmental agencies cannot create a JustPeace society. Only people, no matter how awkward it may be, coming together can create a congenial space towards the path to peace. FNR, therefore, calls upon the parties concern in Manipur to, at a minimum level, share a common understanding of what comes next. In Manipur, cultural communities have never been so apart vis-à-vis the cause and effect and effect and cause since May 3, 2023.
What is needed is not an outside agency as much as a sober analysis among the communities that will contribute to a fuller understanding of the issue. For any peace to have a chance, concerned cultural communities of men and women must be involved in all stages of internal peace efforts. At the same time, the entire country with every citizens supporting to the call of peace through advocacy and humanitarian intervention.
Martin Buber’s “All real living is meeting” through mutual forbearance, tough love, sacrificial willingness to hear and listen, does not portray weakness. Moral qualities are the strength of the group. When we encounter others truly as a person, not as an object for use, we become fully emancipated humans. The only way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
Issued by the
Forum for Naga Reconciliation
July 21, 2023