The decision by some NDA MLAs, especially the BJP MLAs, to leave Imphal to brief Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the growing demand for upgrading of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is a welcome development. It appears as if the BJP MLAs led by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh have finally realised the significance of the public sentiment on the issue.
The issue had already been raised with the Union Home Minister by the former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. Therefore, the latest move by BJP MLAs has only followed the route which the BJP itself had followed earlier through its former chief minister. There is nothing wrong in the MLAs conveying the public sentiment to New Delhi. This is exactly what the elected MLAs are supposed to do.
However, the question which cannot escape attention is: why now?
The state recently saw a general strike that brought normal life to a standstill. The brunt of the strike was faced by the common people, especially those who are outside the government service. The agitation had not suddenly sprung up. The government was well aware of the possibility of an agitation if the demand of postponement of Census till the process of conducting NRC or any other mechanism to identify the illegal immigrants was not fulfilled.
Therefore, the government cannot claim that it was ignorant of the political and public sentiment on the matter. Even the Assembly of the state was reported to have adopted a resolution supporting the demand. When the elected government was conscious of the significance of the issue to the extent that it passed a resolution on the same, why was it apparently unmoved despite growing public resentment?
The reluctance of the government to respond to the demand till the agitation reached a critical stage naturally raises the question as to whether the latest political initiative comes out of conviction or from fear of political survival.
The next Assembly election is around the corner. The political position of the BJP in Manipur is far from comfortable. Public resentment is apparent and even a sitting MLA has indicated that he would quit the party if the situation persists. There is much speculation among MLAs about their political fate. However, in spite of the apparently anxious position of the party, no significant exodus has taken place so far.
This is exactly where the BJP leadership has to understand the changing political situation. The issue is no longer a demand raised by a particular political group or organisation. It has turned into a broader public sentiment, especially in view of issues like population identity, demographic security, citizenship and protection of indigenous interests.
It is here that the BJP must stop looking at the issue as a political problem to be managed till the next election. Neither can the people’s agitation be seen only in the context of electoral considerations.
When the BJP believes that the sentiments of the people expressed through the agitation are indeed justified, its legislators have to show the belief in them through practical actions. It has to convey the public demand to the Union government in a clear manner without political ambiguity. Thereafter, it has to seek a credible mechanism to address the problem of illegal immigration before the process of Census begins.
At the same time, the Union government has to realise that any further delay or silence on the part of the Centre can only fuel the public suspicion. Manipur has already faced prolonged conflict, displacement and social upheaval. Letting another public agitational movement escalate on the issue which has been repeatedly raised before the concerned authority is sheer irresponsibility.
However, the BJP leadership in Manipur also has to keep in mind one very fundamental fact: sentiments of the people cannot be managed indefinitely with assurance, resolution and political statement. Ultimately the government has to show that it is listening.
The latest initiative by the BJP MLAs can thus turn into an opportunity for correcting the course for the BJP. But this will have any sense only if the delegation conveys an unambiguous message to the Centre and returns with a credible response.
BJP has to stop playing politics with the people’s sentiment. If the legislators of the party truly feel that the demand for NRC or other mechanism for identifying illegal immigrants deserves consideration, they have to have the courage to fight for it without showing any political convenience.
The people of Manipur are watching. And this time, assurance that the demand has been conveyed to Delhi might not be enough.
