The concept of “unity in diversity” is not abstract. In a multi-ethnic national or provincial setting, accommodation of differences in a way that provides socio-cultural recognition of identity while striving for constitutional unity and equality through governance is essential to progress. Conflict situations arise when identity hardens and becomes exclusive, leading to grievances over perceived marginalization of a group. But good governance that focuses on accommodation and dialogue helps prevent the potential for such situations to escalate into violence. The outbreak of violence in Manipur, which led to large-scale displacement, loss of life, vandalism of houses, churches, temples besides arson in five districts, may be the result of the state’s long-standing hill-valley identity divide , But it was also avoidable. The trigger was a rally on Wednesday called by the All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur, to protest against the move to concede ST status to the majority group, the Meiteis, following a High Court order. Tribal groups are opposing this demand which is not equally supported by all sections of the Meitei. While the complaint that ST status will lead to a reduction in reservation for hill tribal communities appears to be valid to some extent, their concern that it will compromise traditional land ownership is not entirely borne out of reason and tribalism. It has been used for whipping by politicians. rabid anti-Valley sentiments. It was also the result of tribal groups growing discontent against what they perceived as partisan actions of the state government.
If the state’s Bharatiya Janata Party-led government had acted promptly and dispelled the notion that it was biased towards a dominant section, this situation would not have come to the fore. In its over-enthusiasm in the “war on drugs”, the government was involved in eviction drives, including one that affected Kuki village in March, and has led some of the BJP’s tribal legislators to raise the issue of alleged bias in governance. inspired to take up. And want a change in the state leadership of the party. The evictions, ostensibly in the name of forest protection and removal of “outsiders”, stir passions among people dependent on the hills for livelihood; Doing so without resorting to rehabilitation and compensation increases the sense of injustice among those affected. With the central government taking charge of security, violence should abate, but the faltering state government should create an all-party mechanism to reach out to people across ethnic divides, to address grievances.