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One after another, Indian states are burning in the fire of communal violence while we sit in our homes, unaware that these flames can reach our doors at any time. While data highlights a decreasing trend in communal violence, the washed-away ash and walls of half-burnt houses convey a rather different image.

For the past 5 months, the north-eastern state of Manipur has been constantly burning in the flames of communal violence. According to the official data, the violence killed around 200 people and displaced more than 70,000 people. The north-eastern state continued to burn while the majority of Indians were occupied watching the live telecast of the G20 summit. Not just Manipur, but numerous Indian states experienced communal clashes in 2023, with major incidents recorded during the Ram Navami festival. Nevertheless, according to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), there has been a constant decline in violence in India. So, is there really a steady decline, or are we reading the graph upside-down?

According to the data by the NCRB, during 2014-2017, 3508 incidents of communal violence were reported in the country, which claimed the lives of 75 people. However, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) answers in the Lok Sabha, India saw 2920 instances of intercommunal violence, which resulted in the deaths of 389 people. This significant discrepancy between the NCRB and MHA statistics is one of the main causes of scepticism about the decline in incidences of communal violence. The government claims that the primary cause of the data mismatch is the grouping of the data. NCRB gathers police-registered (FIR) incidents of communal violence from states, and numerous FIRs might be filed in the same occurrence, but MHA data is not dependent on FIR.

This argument appears logical, yet the government’s own data pulls it into doubt. NCRB data, according to this theory, should be greater than MHA figures. However, according to 2017 data, the NCRB documented 723 incidents and 16 deaths, whereas MHA data shows 823 cases and 111 deaths due to communal violence in India. Factly writes,

For 2014, there was a discrepancy between the numbers reported by the NCRB and MHA for as many as 23 states/UTs. Strangely, in states such as Haryana, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, the numbers reported by the NCRB were way higher than the ones reported by the MHA, whereas in states such as Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, the MHA numbers were higher than those reported by the NCRB.

This trend was repeated in 2015 and 2016, where the discrepancy was observed in as many as 24 and 25 states/UTs respectively.

Another substantial reason to question the reliability of the data is that the NCRB does not collect disaggregated data on attacks against certain communities. This results in the formation of a hazy image of communal violence in India. According to data from the United Christian Forum (UCF), 525 attacks on Christians took place in India during the first eight months of 2023. This data on attacks on only one community in 8 months outnumbers NCRB data on communal violence incidents in the year 2021.

What’s concerning here is not just the reliability of the data but also the government’s refutation of communal violence in the country. Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, stated that no riots occurred in the state between 2017 and 2021. However, according to NCRB data, there were 35,040 incidents of rioting between 2017 and 2021.In the last two to three years, there has been not only rebuttal but also systematic planned action against a specific community in the aftermath of communal conflicts. Since the 2020 Delhi riots, there has been a spike in false police charges against Muslims, as well as arbitrary demolitions of their properties.

While the government and its statistics are busy establishing a decrease in communal violence, a report by the Pew Research Centre graded India 9.4/10, first on the Social Holistics Index (SHI) 2020, worse than its own score of 2019. (A High score indicates an increase in communal clashes.)

A recent report by the NCRB reveals a steady decline in the last 50 years. What’s questionable is a sharp decline in cases during every NDA’s regime and an increase in cases during the UPA’s rule. Not only this, but reports from several International Human Rights Organisations (IHRO) concerned with a decrease in religious freedom in the nation conflict with data indicating religious harmony and a decline in communal violence.

While multiple IHRO reports labelled India an “Electoral Autocracy”, and demoted it on the Democracy Index, the Indian government refuses to recognise or debate any of these reports. The growing religious hostility we witness around us raises the question, “Are we really heading towards communal harmony, or is this just a mirage?”

Read also: The Fear of Being Identified

Featured Image Credits: The Wire

Dhruv Bhati
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Campus Central

Hill vs Valley: Humanitarian Catastrophe through the Eyes of Manipuri Students

By Guest Writer June 21, 2023

Trigger Warning – Sensitive content with mentions of Rape and Abuse

On 3 May 2023, an ethnic clash erupted in India’s north-eastern state of Manipur between the Meitei people, the majority of whom live in the Imphal Valley, and the tribal group hill areas, which includes the Kuki and Zo peoples. Many houses and vehicles were burned while many people are forced to leave their homes with their livelihoods destroyed.

As the ethnic hostilities in Manipur enter their second month, the situation is far from normal. The state is still experiencing violence and terror, with over 50,000 people driven out and 100 people dead. The state, which was once known as the ‘jewel of India’ because of its stunning beauty and beautiful environment, is now making headlines due to the Hill-Valley Divide. Crimes against humanity are on the rise, with people getting targeted purely on the basis of their identity, with no fault of their own.

In times of turmoil, there is also a spark in protests, candle marches, and awareness campaigns about the issue. Such efforts are particularly undertaken by the youth and student community, who are consistently attempting to raise knowledge about the issue.

Thousands of such students from the north eastern states attend Delhi University, and the city itself is home to many others who travel in pursuit of a better life and possibilities. With rising atrocities back at the home state, people here in Delhi are also at a greater risk of attack.

One such instance happened in May 2023.

A group of Kuki students were followed and attacked by a group of 30 other students who identified themselves as belonging to Meitei community.

–according to source

Students from both communities have expressed similar safety worries, leading to a number of peaceful protests in Delhi. These gatherings are intended to provide a safe setting for students to discuss their traumas and experiences, as well as connect with the entire Delhi University circle in order to obtain additional support and aid as needed.

As a result, it’s vital that we give safe platform to these students so that they can share their voices and also raise awareness. While one might search up political data, lookup the main cause of the entire issue on the internet, but this is Manipur Violence from the perspective of those who have experienced the horror firsthand.

This is about their journey and individual experiences.

I’ve been preparing for UPSC for the last two years; I was set to give the paper this time. When the clashes happened, I came to Delhi as it was my center for exams. But I was constantly worried about my family and people who were back at home. I couldn’t sleep the night before my exam. Just hours later, I received the message from our villagers, that they failed to defend our village. When we left our village we did not even take a blanket, our cattle was still there, we had hopes of returning some day! But I missed my UPSC paper while my home was burned down in Manipur

– A former student of Delhi University and a native of Manipur.

We were able to identify numerous issues through our talks with Manipuri students. It also gives rise to many questions in our mind regarding the whole situation. We tackled these curiosities during our conversation.

To begin, know that the entire northeast India is not a demographically and ethnically homogenous region, it has its own fair share of differences and diversity.

Just like north India has Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, is it possible to club them to one? The answer is no. In the same way north east cannot be clubbed together as one. The culture, the food, the language and art of every state differs greatly in the north eastern region too. People since years have been making the mistake of generalizing all the states making assumptions on how we look

– A post graduate Manipuri student from DU.

It was also revealed that ethnic discrimination, scams and derogatory name-calling are also rampant in Delhi.

Rickshwalas used to quote a higher price than the common pricing when I was new to the city. They think I’m a foreigner who doesn’t speak the language because of my appearance, so they can simply cheat me. I learned to ignore it over time, but such treatment makes us feel different in our own nation.

– A fresher from the state of Manipur.

People are always surprised with my fluency in Hindi, and because I don’t have typical features that usually north-east Indians have, people again find it hard to believe that I come from North-east region.

– A student from Assam.

Hearing such incidents reveals how deeply rooted this mistreatment is in our ideas and behaviour. Furthermore, these students suggested to their friends that removing assumptions and bias and just asking questions about their state and culture is an excellent way to help people feel at ease rather than striking up dialogues that are full of assumptions.

Secondly, it is crucial to understand and know how the various communities interacted in the state of Manipur. What, for example, triggered this abrupt violence and the divide between two populations that had previously coexisted peacefully? Or is this simply the culmination of the separation and discrimination that existed between the two tribes?

We got conflicting answers for this – It can be observed that some people reminisce about the peace and harmony they shared in their daily lives while others locate us to the issues simmering on the back burner.

We mingle together but there was always some kind of divide that I felt while growing up, this was specially in the case of language for me.

– A first year Manipuri student from DU.

The source emphasized in this conversation how language was a big issue because kids in Manipur had to learn many languages including their mother tongue, Hindi, English, and in certain cases Manipuri if that was not spoken by their tribe. The students describe it as a “pressure that they had to deal with their entire primary school life.”

We were always proud of the unity shared between the two communities, in school we would dress up in our traditional attires and celebrate each other’s festivals, It was something we cherished. After the violence started, it created gaps in our personal bonds as well. My friend from the other community, we don’t even talk these days. It is definitely different now. I don’t know if it will ever be like old days.

– A research student from DU.

This discourse, on the other hand, provides a viewpoint of ‘unity in variety,’ in which some people cherished their shared culture and customs by not letting their differences infiltrate. However, the fallout of the ethnic confrontations has disrupted the formerly shared unity. At this point, one could ask if life will ever return to normal in either of these communities, or if the conflict will leave its terrible imprint.

When it comes to the clash, ever since the ethnic riots began, there have been new concerns among both populations and the students we questioned discussed how the word used to describe them is not only offensive but rather an “attack on their identity,” as one source put it.

For instance, Kuki students expressed their displeasure with the harsh labels being used to describe them – including ‘illegal immigrants’ and ‘armed terrorists’.

My grandfather and father served in the Indian army; they are very much Indian and love their country, but they are now being targeted as foreigners and asked to leave the state.

– a former student of DU.

Such anecdotes make one wonder if terms like ‘Illegal immigrants’, ‘terrorists’ and ‘outsiders’ should be used loosely in extremely sensitive situations like this one or if questions of citizenship supersede considerations of humanity and respect towards communities?

Not only students, but intellectuals all around the country, have been arguing against the injustice of using such labels against a group. There has been recent news of illegal migration into the states of Manipur and Assam from neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh and Myanmar, but students believe that this issue should be handled cautiously rather than aggressively. Meanwhile, the government can create preparations to protect its national interests and borders, but we must all be mindful of the language we use to communicate with one another.

While people are being target solely on the basis of their identity, crimes against Women and children are also rising, and thousands are being driven from their homes. There is no bitterness between Kuki and Meitei students in any of our talks with them. Everyone wants solutions to their problems and for this mayhem to end. Nevertheless, what we noticed was that they cared most for the lives of innocent people.

I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to go back to the place where so many were murdered. I don’t know if I’ll be able to forgive.

– A student from Manipur

The education of the children is at risk and even those who are unaffected and safe are under emotional stress as a result of what they see on the news every day. I have no harsh thoughts towards my friends from the other community, but I’m concerned about what will happen if the situation does not change.

– A student from the north-eastern community.

This section of our discussions gets us to a place where we all reflect on how the differences have taken a nasty turn, and there is now a larger concern about implications of these fights. The once insignificant division has now penetrated people’s lives, hurting not just their livelihoods including safety and education, but also their mental health. Trauma and fear are significant obstacles that many people are still unable to overcome.

Previously, seeing someone from my state gave me a sense of familiarity and comfort, but now I’m not sure if the stranger I’m gazing at is from my community or not. I’m worried about my safety. Now, there’s a sense of fear.

– a fresher from DU.

While Manipur continues to seek hope and peace, Manipuri students are dissatisfied with how the mainstream media has failed to report the situation fairly and how many people have remained silent on the subject. They are concerned that the false narratives disseminated by the media channels will worsen the situation. Not only this, but also sharing information which is not based on facts is harmful to both the communities. Anyone on the internet searching and reading on this subject has to use the sources very wisely. ‘Misinformation is our biggest enemy in such times’, as stated by one of the students.

We have been organizing peace talks and discussions in the campus regarding the issue and I also frequently post on social media which I feel is very important to do in order to educate people who don’t know what is going on in Manipur. For all outsiders – We don’t want you to be ignorant about the issue. What we need the most right now is to support us and listen to us. Simply reaching out to and making an effort to understand the situation will help us a lot.

– a post-graduate Manipuri student from DU.

Land, demography, the fight for ST status, development inequity, and the complexity of who is truly on the receiving end are all issues that have multiple answers. There’s a Kuki and a Meitei version!

We don’t know what will happen next, but there’s a lot more at stake than just land: personal relationships, lives, scenic beauty, resources, the economy, and, most importantly, humanity. Regardless of differences, what everyone shares is a sense of hope and the need for peace. History has shown that in times of crisis, kindness has always helped people endure the storm. Whether it’s the Covid-19 pandemic, or one of the world’s great conflicts, a natural disaster – there are always episodes of kindness and humanity that have made a difference. This is similar to the efforts of students who exemplify the optimism that Manipur requires right now!

This was Manipur’s chapter through the eyes of students, as they simply wish to raise more awareness and have hopes to end this chaos and heal from this harsh experience.

Video Suggestions – Survival story of Agnes Neikhohat, one of the instances of Crime against Women.

List of additional sources on the issue :

https://youtu.be/WH7Sk9KOD84

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/manipur-violence-clashes-nrc-meitei-kuki-naga-imphal-valley-illegal-immigration-myanmar-reserve-forests-biren-singh-2368476-2023-05-04

https://www.news18.com/opinion/opinion-ethnic-violence-in-manipur-hill-valley-divide-remains-a-challenge-to-indias-act-east-policy-7794619.html

Image credits : Economic Times

Priya Agrawal

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Delhi University Students Organize a Protest Against Attack on Tribal Students on Campus

By DU Beat May 14, 2023

Delhi University students organized a protest in the Delhi School of Economics against the recent violence and attack on tribal students in North Campus. The attack on the students was an extension of the crisis in Manipur. With the protest, the students tried to initiate important discourses around mental health, student safety, women’s safety, xenophobia and various other sensitive issues that affect tribal students on campus.

On 12^th May, students of the University organized a protest at the Delhi School of Economics to spread awareness about the attack on tribal students in North Campus that took place the previous week. As inter-community violence grips Manipur, even those living away from home are constantly tormented by the possibility of being attacked. Last week, a group of Kuki students were reportedly attacked by a group of around 30 students who identified themselves as belonging to the Meitei community. The victims were followed as they left a prayer meeting near Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute in North Campus. The women were pushed and the men were beaten up. The incident has left tribal students across the university concerned about their safety.

During the attack, women were molested and threatened to be raped. The men were badly beaten up. They have sustained injuries and have scars all over. They are traumatized. Delhi University is a campus for all students. But being tribals, we do not feel safe anymore even on campus

– a participant who wishes to remain anonymous

The protest was an attempt to create a space in which tribal students could express themselves freely and be part of a larger community of students with shared experiences. Students gathered near the Ratan Tata Library at the Delhi School of Economics and expressed their concerns, fears and experiences with one another. Students from different colleges, across the university joined in. The participants spoke about the trauma that tribal students have been experiencing and pointed out that there is a general atmosphere of fear that has affected not only the victims of the attack but all tribal students from Manipur. One of the speakers pointed out that earlier, students would stay out and study in libraries till 2 a.m. in the morning. However, after the crisis unfolded in Manipur, many fear even going outdoors. Such an atmosphere of hostility is hardly conducive to academic growth. It was repeatedly stated that although the situation in Manipur is deeply disturbing, it is important to ensure that what happens in Manipur, stays in Manipur and does not culminate into further violence outside the state.

We are really concerned about the safety of tribal students here. On the night of 4^th May, there was a mob attack on Kuki students by the other community which we vehemently condemn. We should not be against each other. This is an academic space and we need a peaceful space to progress in our academic career.

– Mr. Haokip, a research scholar at the university

Many of the students were concerned about the impact of the traumatic incidents on their academic life as they are in the middle of their semester exams. Reportedly, many tribal students have been experiencing cyberbullying on social media platforms for being vocal about the crisis in Manipur. They have been receiving death threats and rape threats for their social media posts on Manipur. The victims of the attack and those who have received online threats have become so paranoid that they could not bring themselves to join the protest. One of the participants spoke to DU Beat about the online harassment, transphobic and homophobic slurs that they have been enduring ever since the violence unfolded in Manipur. They further elaborated upon the systematic oppression and xenophobia that tribals experience in Manipur.

Growing up in Imphal, we were used to people calling us (the Kuki people) illegal Burmese immigrants. At school, we were bullied and shamed for our tribal identity. We are mocked a lot for reservations as well.

DU Beat approached multiple stakeholders to include their experiences and insights. However, owing to the matter’s sensitivity, many were uncomfortable speaking openly about it and declined our request for interviews. Nonetheless, the participants at the protest made their demands. Overall, the gathering was a peaceful one.

We would like to put out the message that we all are here for progress. During my 5-year study in DU, I have never felt unsafe. But now, even though I am not a victim myself, I have to constantly look over my shoulder after that incident. We are here to protest against the attack. We are not here to target any community, but simply demand that the culprits are arrested.

– Another participant who wishes to remain anonymous.

Image Credits: Tulip Banerjee for DU Beat

Tulip Banerjee

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