It was a ‘slang’ in Manipuri language, with no direct understanding. The term is however often heard not from the enemy but our near and dear one who wanted to make us a successful person. Every parent, guardian sometime calls their love one the very slang, not because they have lost all trust to their children but to improve their life. Indeed no parents or guardian had ever wanted their wards to become Mithibong Mitambal. That is why the term was coined and has always been used to correct their wards and guide them to the right direction.
All was not well, when a social activist used the term during a discussion hour which went on live telecast at a local cable TV. Instead of having a second though on why this activist had term the slang word to the elected representatives of the state assembly secretariat, one MLA from the opposition put up the matter and described it as an insult to all the elected representatives of the state assembly. Putting aside on the nature of inclusion of the slang word by the social activists, almost all the legislatures were left with no choice but to refer the matter to the privilege committee of the state Assembly to look on whether it really breach the privilege of the members of the house.
It is not worth mentioning the accurate date in figures, as the matter was already on the news for several times. According to this paper, we have so far reported round about 5 to six sitting on the issue, which was taken up along with another lady bureaucrat officer for deleting the name of an elected representative from the voter list in Churachandpur district. Subject to correction, so far there is no individuals who had never said sorry to the privilege committee of the state Assembly session for any matter which the committee considered as breach of privilege.
The Privilege committee head by Deputy Speaker of the house and which consist of 6 more members never thought that taking up the matter of the social activist who term them as Mithibong Mitambal through a local cable TV will stand tight to what he had told through that electronic media.
As the social activist stands firm with what he had spoken, it is now sure that the report which might be table to the house in this session will surely state that the social activist did really breach the privilege of the elected representatives.
And there is also possibility that the ongoing agitation which has intensified from yesterday midnight might go out of hand if the report about the social activists’ breach of privilege for the legislatures is presented and initiate any form of action against him.
The social activist, who is being examined by the privilege committee, coined the word ‘Mithibong Mitambal’ in connection to the silence of the legislatures when students are beaten like animals during a democratic protest for introduction of ILPS.
Rules are rules, and the failure of the system at almost all sections is due to the failure of the government or its enforcing agency and other authority in implementing it. And perhaps the major roots of all this failure are due to the failure of the authorities at the top as well as the law makers
A quote from Shakespearean play ‘to be or not to be’ seem to be the main collusion to this specific issue. People are expecting some bold steps like introducing of a legislation to protect the endangered indigenous people of the state or some bold step like lifting of the draconian AFSPA. If not, another Mithibong Mitambal statement may be heard from somebody who does not want their representatives to go spoilt.
The Mithibong Mitambal connotation
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At the first place, IMO, Article 19 cannot be changed by a state legislature. I’m with ILP and I love Manipur but I don’t think Manipur govt can pass a law for implementing ILP. So it will be wise if we pressure the central govt to impose ILP. And if all the local people of Manipur are ST, then the state govt can pass a law on ILP.