The circulation of an alleged audio recording on social media, reportedly featuring a conversation between a former District Commissioner, who later served as Chief Secretary before entering politics, and another individual, has raised serious questions about political culture, public decency and the dignity of human beings.
What is particularly disturbing is the language allegedly used by the politician during the conversation. The reported remarks, including the expression “Nung napa adu eina thabak hapini, nakhoi nathibong chari nataro, kana na hapkay, eina thabak haptana nathibong chari nataro,” are deeply offensive, disrespectful, and reflect an appalling disregard for basic human dignity.
Political differences, administrative disagreements or personal conflicts can never justify the use of such degrading language against another human being. What makes the matter even more unfortunate is that the person allegedly using these words is not an ordinary political activist but someone who once occupied one of the highest positions in the state administration. A former IAS officer, particularly one who served as Chief Secretary, is expected to demonstrate maturity, restraint, integrity and respect for fellow human beings. Entering politics should not mean abandoning the basic values of civility and public responsibility.
Holding public office is a privilege, not a licence to insult, humiliate or intimidate others. Education, administrative experience and political power mean very little if they are not accompanied by humanity, humility and moral responsibility.
Manipur has already endured enough suffering, political instability, social divisions and a serious crisis of public confidence. At such a critical juncture, the state needs responsible leadership that can unite people, restore trust and uphold democratic values. Instead, when political figures resort to uncivilised language and demonstrate contempt for ordinary human beings, they only deepen public disappointment with the political establishment.
The Italian Marxist philosopher and political thinker Antonio Gramsci offers an important perspective on the relationship between intellectual leadership, political responsibility and public morality. Gramsci’s conception of the organic intellectual emphasises that leadership is not merely about occupying positions of authority but also about one’s ability to exercise moral and intellectual responsibility within society. This raises an uncomfortable question for the individual concerned: having once occupied the highest echelons of the state administration, and subsequently entering public life, does he not bear an even greater responsibility to uphold the standards of conduct expected of someone entrusted with public authority? Administrative experience and political influence should cultivate a deeper understanding of human dignity, not a sense of superiority over others. If the reported remarks are authentic, they reveal a troubling contradiction between the stature of the office once held and the conduct allegedly displayed in private.
Democracy does not demand blind loyalty to politicians. It demands critical thinking, public scrutiny and the courage to reject leadership that fails to respect the people it claims to represent.
A politician’s real strength is not measured by the authority he exercises, the position he once held or the influence he commands. It is measured by how he treats those who have neither power nor privilege.
Again, if the reported conversation is authentic and the remarks are accurately represented, the politician concerned owes the public a clear explanation and an unconditional apology. More importantly, people must seriously question whether individuals who cannot maintain basic standards of human decency deserve to continue enjoying public trust and political authority.
Manipur does not need politicians who look down upon people. It needs leaders who respect people. The time has come for citizens to reject arrogance, intolerance and political indecency through democratic means. No political position is greater than human dignity, and no politician is above public accountability.
Leader writer: Sh Ajit
