I am a Bishnupriya Manipuri Hindu. There are two sects of Manipuris – Meitei and Bishnupriya. I trace my ancestry to Babruvahana, the son of Arjuna and Chitrangada. My Kuldevta is Apokpa, the sixth in lineage from Babruvahana. I am a VICTIM of EXODUS from MANIPUR due to Myanmarese (Burmese) attacks. The Myanmarese attacked Manipur several times from medieval era to 1826.
Myanmarese occupation of parts of Manipur lasted only for a short period each time as Manipuri kings offered resistance and reclaimed back the territories. Thousands of Manipuris, my ancestors, attained Veergati in battlefield fighting the Burmese. My ancestors left Manipur in the 18th century during one of the attacks. After the British came, their war continued against the British. Major attacks from Myanmar (erstwhile Burma) stopped after the Treaty of Yandaboo was signed. But after independence of Bharat, infiltration from Myanmar started.
Illegal infiltration from Myanmar has led to a sudden population explosion in Manipur. To add to this is the entry of Bangladeshi Muslims. The huge influx of Rohingyas from Myanmar and Bangladeshi Muslims into Bharat has already been affecting the demographic, geo-political, and socio-cultural setting of the country. Mass level conversions have changed the religious landscape of not only Manipur but also other states across the country. According to BC Allen’s ‘Naga Hills and Manipur: Socio-Economic History’, published in 1905, there were only 8 Christians in Manipur in 1901. According to 2011 census, they now constituted 11.79 lakh of the total population. Today, Hindus are a minority in Manipur. Conversion activities across Bharat by missionaries is nothing new.
Manipuris have been Hindus since at least from Mahabharata times, i.e. some 5,300 years ago. According to ‘Khumal Purana’, Khumal rule was named after Apokpa (Khumal), our Kuldevta. Manipuri clans from Khumal, i.e Mangangs, Laungangs, Moirangs, Augams were divided into two classes Meitei and Bishnupriya. Few Manipuris have indeed fallen prey to conversion, especially who married from other religions – Christianity and Islam. As a Bishnupriya Manipuri, I proudly say that 99%+ of my community are still Hindus.
Manipur has burnt repeatedly in the past due to Myanmarese attacks. Today, in a democratic setting, Manipur is burning again. Like my ancestors, Manipuri Hindus are again facing an EXODUS. There is ethnic cleansing of Hindus of Manipur. When will this stop?
This a very short historical account of what has happened to the indigenous natives – the Manipuris, with a civilizational identity of more that 5,300 years, especially in the last few centuries. Over time, they faced several exoduses and today they are reduced to a minority. Various communities (following Hindu Dharmic traditions or other indigenous belief systems termed ‘animism/pagan’) have come from China, Myanmar, Thailand, etc. to the northeast and settled down and assimilated with the Bharatiya culture. They are all Bharatiyas now. But AFTER 1947 till today, whoever illegally infiltrated (including from Bangladesh after 1971) and settled in the Northeast and other parts of Bharat, are NOT BHARATIYAS. It is them who are creating chaos.
On a broader perspective, especially what led to present conflict in Manipur is (in short):
1. Infiltrators (those who entered and settled after 1947) from Myanmar (partly Bangladesh after 1971) creating chaos.
2. Meiteis being accorded tribal status
3. Kukis demanding separate homeland/administration
4. Govt clearance of illegal encroachment of govt lands (held by Kukis)
5. Not allowing poppy/narcotic cultivation
6. Drug trade being affected.
My objective is to post FACTS, not hurt anyone or incite anything.
-By Manoshi Sinha (Author, Founder of www.myindiamyglory.com)
