TN: Solidarity Protests on Manipur Violence Held Across State

Chennai: Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains silent on the Manipur violence, the voices on the ground have gotten louder. Tamil Nadu witnessed a series of protests condemning the wave of violence, and the parading of naked and alleged gangrapes of two Kuki tribe women.

Political parties, trade unions, farmers’ unions, and women’s, youth and student organisations held protests across the state over the past week condemning violence in Manipur and calling for peace.

Activists from 10 organisations, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), came together at Egmore in Chennai on July 26, to stand in solidarity with Kuki women who were subjected to extreme sexual violence.

The CPI(M) and CPI, separately called for state-wide protests on July 25, accusing the Union government for failure to maintain peace in Manipur.

CITU, AIKS and AIAWU held a joint protest in Cuddalore. Image courtesy: CITU, Tamil Nadu

While speaking at the protest in Chennai on July 25, Communist Party of India (CPI)general secretary D Raja said, “There are apprehensions that the corporate sector is planning to plunder the natural resources of Manipur and the name of Gautam Adani is also surfacing in these allegations.” 

DMK MP MK Kanimozhi led a protest in Chennai on behalf of the DMK women’s wing against the Manipur ‘’horror video’ on July 23, demanding a full discussion in Parliament and a statement by the Prime Minister in both Houses.

On July 22, Congress workers, members of the Left parties, students, advocates, and human rights outfits staged protests across the state, condemning the Centre for its failure to control the violence in Manipur.

The Opposition party in the state and BJP-alliance AIADMK has not taken a stand on the matter. But, senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar urged the Modi government at the Centre to act swiftly to restore normalcy in Manipur.

Other regional parties in Tamil Nadu, such as PMK, DMDK and TamizhagaVazhvurimai Katchi, demanded strict punishment for those involved, and called for the Central and the state government there to take measures to restore peace in Manipur have deplored the incident of sexual assault against two women in Manipur.

SEVERAL PROTESTS

Over a dozen associations in Thoothukudi, under the banner ThoothkudiMavattam Manitha Neya Unarvalargalstaged a demonstration on July 27 demanding the dismissal of the BJP government in Manipur, holding it responsible for the months-long unrest in the state.

About 500 students from Aringar Anna Arts and Science College and Dr MGR Government Women's Arts College in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu have joined the protest voices on July 26 in demanding justice for the harassment of the victims.

Students at IIT Madras gathered to extend solidarity to the people of violence-torn Manipur on July 23, while the government remains a mere spectator. They expressed concerns over the unfortunate trend of civil society responding to a crisis only after disturbing visuals come to light and about frequent internet shutdowns as a silencing tactic.

IIT- Madras students gathered at the Himalaya Lawns. Image credit: ChintaBar

College students blocked a train at the Meenambakkam railway station in Chennai on July 21 to protest against the Kuki women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted by a mob. 

Whereas, members of Democratic Youth Federation of India, Students Federation of India, Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front and All India Democratic Women's Association staged a ‘rail roko’ at Korukupet on July 22.

A large number of members of Tamil Nadu ThowheedJamath (TNTJ) assembled at the Palakkarai roundabout in Trichy and spoke against the Manipur state government and Union government on July 22