JNU 'strongly advises' students to cancel debate on Manipur violence under premises

• Image Credit: Prag News

• May 19, 2023 | Poonam Nath

The JNU authorities urged a group of students not to have a campus debate on the recent Manipur violence...

Digital Desk: Considering the reality that the discussion will go ahead as planned, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration "strongly advised" a group of students against organising a debate on campus about the recent Manipur violence. 

"It has come to the administration's attention that a group of students known as 'THE COLLECTIVE' has released a pamphlet for a discussion on happenings in Manipur scheduled for May 18 at 9:30 p.m. at Ganga Dhaba," the school noted. According to reports, no prior permission was requested from the JNU Administration for this event. 

"This is to emphasise that such activity may disrupt the peace and harmony of the University Campus." The varsity strongly recommends the concerned students/individuals immediately discontinue the proposed programme." The purpose of the conversation, according to the 'THE COLLECTIVE' pamphlet, is to "understand what is happening in Manipur." states the Pamphlet 

In accordance with the pamphlet, the students were asked to participate in a mess table discussion with Dr Thongkholal Haokip, JNU's Centre for the Study of Law and Governance; Dr Praem Hidam, BR Ambedkar University's School of Law, Governance, and Citizenship; and Nandita Haksar, senior human rights lawyer and author, on the socio-cultural context of the ongoing crisis and the role of the state. 

According to Sourya Majumdar, the joint secretary of 'THE COLLECTIVE,' there is no regulation barring the hosting of a debate without a licence. "We will proceed with our discussion plan." It was never necessary to seek permission to hold a conversation. Why are they enacting it now? This is incorrect. "How can a debate disturb the peace of the university?" he speculated.

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Crisis grappled on Manipur

Manipur, the state, known for its scenic beauty and cultural diversity, is currently grappling with a deepening crisis that raises concerns about governance, law and order, and the overall stability of the region.

Manipur's violence is heavily influenced by its terrain and ethnic communities. The problem involves the non-tribal Meitei and Kuki communities. The ethnic violence stems from a 10-year-old demand by the Meitei group for an ST badge.

However, On May 15, turning back to normality, a convoy of 28 vehicles, including trucks, gasoline tankers, JCBs, and others, transporting rice, sugar, pulses, and petrol from Noney to Imphal was escorted by the CRPF and Manipur Police.

During the ongoing conflict in Manipur, crucial commodities were cut off from reaching the Imphal valley due to roadblocks and the resulting panic among truckers. Normalcy is gradually returning to the state, and vehicular movement has been restored, as the state was on the edge of reaching critical levels.