Manipur burned in 2001 when the BJP was in power, and again, Manipur burns in 2023 when the BJP is in power. Why?

Hello, everyone. Welcome to my blog, where I share my thoughts on current affairs, politics and social issues. Today, I want to talk about a topic that has been bothering me for a long time: the situation in Manipur, a state in northeast India that has witnessed two episodes of ethnic violence in 2001 and 2023, both coinciding with the BJP government at the Centre or the state.

As you may know, Manipur is a diverse state with many ethnic groups, each with their own culture, language and religion. The Meitei community is the largest and dominant group in the state, followed by the Naga and Kuki tribes, who mostly live in the hills. The state has a history of insurgency and conflict, as some groups have demanded autonomy or independence from India.

The first outbreak of violence happened in 2001, when the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre signed a ceasefire agreement with the NSCN-IM, a Naga rebel group that wanted to create a Greater Nagaland by merging parts of Manipur and other states. This angered the Meitei community, who felt that their territorial integrity was threatened. They staged massive protests in Imphal, the capital city, and attacked government buildings and offices. The security forces fired on the protesters, killing 14 people.

The second outbreak of violence started on May 3, 2023, when thousands of people from the Naga and Kuki tribes took part in a rally against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. This is a special category that gives certain benefits and reservations to disadvantaged groups in India. The Meitei community argued that they deserved this status because they were indigenous to Manipur and faced discrimination from outsiders. The Naga and Kuki tribes opposed this demand, saying that it would reduce their own share of resources and representation. This led to clashes between the two groups, resulting in arson, looting, killings and displacement of thousands of people. The violence also targeted churches and Christians in some areas.

The state government, led by BJP's N Biren Singh, has been accused of failing to contain the situation and restore normalcy. The Congress party, which is the main opposition in the state and at the Centre, has blamed the BJP's divisive politics for both incidents of violence. They have said that the BJP has played with the sentiments of different communities for its electoral gains, without caring for their welfare or harmony.

So, why did Manipur burn in 2001 and 2023 when BJP was in power? Is it just a coincidence or a pattern? Is it because of the BJP's ideology or incompetence? Is it because of the lack of dialogue or trust between different communities? Is it because of the historical grievances or contemporary aspirations of different groups? Is it because of the external factors or internal dynamics of Manipur?

I don't have a definitive answer to these questions, but I do have some opinions. I think that Manipur is a complex and sensitive state that needs careful handling and inclusive governance. I think that any agreement or policy that affects the state should be done with consultation and consensus of all stakeholders. I think that violence is never a solution to any problem and only creates more suffering and hatred. I think that peace and harmony are possible only when there is respect and understanding among different communities.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and learned something new about Manipur. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to share them below. Thank you for your time and attention. See you next time!