By- BuyamayumLiyaquat Ali
History of Meitei Pangals can be traced back to some Muslims who were allowed to settled in Manipur with the Royal permission during the reign of King Mungyanba. The son of these Muslims played an important role in defeating Sanongba, the dejected brother of King Khagemba. Sanongba in collaboration with King Sapradas Narayan of Cachar also brought around 1000 Muslim soldiers in Manipur and they were also allowed to settled in Manipur by King Khagemba. But the actual profession of Muslim soldiers brought by the collaborated force of Sanongba were farmers which was also a reason behind the defeat of Sanongba. King Khagemba assigned profession to these Muslims according to their hereditary skills such as elephant trainer, farmer, canopy carrier, wrestlers etc. They also mainly settled near the rivers of Manipur due to favorable condition of farming in these areas. So the history of Meitei Pangal indicates the distance of the community from education. It is also pertinent to mention that religious hindrance by old generation was also a reason of backwardness in education by this community.
With the passage of time Meitei Pangal community has started giving importance to education. The youth of this community is also demanding 4% reservation in Non-Professional Higher education. The thrust of education by this community should be appreciated by our modern society and the government because it will play an important Socio-economic role in developing the state. There are many students studying outside Manipur and if the students of this community are not admitted in College or Universities of Manipur they will be compelled to study outside Manipur with the eagerness of education. To study outside Manipur is a great economical loss to our government and society. The money which is earned by their parents in Manipur will be used by these students outside Manipur which helps the economy of the host state. Every year crores of Rupees are going outside Manipur due to the lack of proper education faculties and facilities in higher education.
If the students studying outside Manipur of Meitei Pangal community have a chance to study in Manipur, it will help in developing the economy of our state. For example, A student from MayangImphal who is admitted in Dhanamanjuri College has to use the local transport system such as Auto or Tata Magic. He may buy some eatables, books and stationaries from a shop from Imphal area. He pay fees to the school authorities which is used by them for the payment of teachers. So the student is contributing in the income of drivers, shopkeepers, teachers, government etc and majority of these beneficiaries will be Non-Meitei Pangals. On the other hand many youths of Meitei Pangal are doing job in other states and Gulf countries after completion of higher education and they send money to their parents in Manipur which in turn boost the economy of our state.
Education is the backbone of social responsibilities and eradication of social evils. An educated and responsible Meitei Pangal youth will never opt for smuggling of drugs, Vehicles and other unlawful activities which erodes the value of our society and brings headache to our government. The ‘polluted air’ from an uneducated neighbor of Meitei Pangal can’t be separated by other communities unless the root cause of the pollution is wipe out. A state can’t prosper if some communities are underdeveloped. The Meitei Pangal community is also taking part in each and every issue which bring obstacles to our state. Participation of Meitei Pangals in war to protect the kingdom, NupiLan, ILP movement, State Integrity etc are some of the worthy social contribution due to education.
A survey conducted on social media which mainly comprises of Meitei and Meitei Pangal users (Based on their profile names) indicates that around 94% of Non-Meitei Pangal youths doesn’t want the demand of 4% reservation in Non-professional Higher education for MeteiPangal and 99.25% of Meitei Pangal youths want the demand of reservation to be implemented. It is a very contrasting figure. Clash of positive thoughts and opinion is appreciable but to bring an amicable solution is also the sign of a matured society. We need to sit down and discuss the pros and cons of the demand for the welfare of our society. Need to focus on the crores of rupees send back to their home states by the Non-Manipuri businessmen staying in Imphal areas rather than opposing the demand of a meagre amount of share in education by your brother. The demand of reservation is a necessity evil but if implemented with ideal planning it will be also a boon for our society.