Saturday, August 5th, 2023 at 3:43 PM
“The cries of Manipur are echoing in the streets and the Capitol building of Austin, Texas.” - Josh David
Since May 3rd, 2023, Manipur, a north-eastern state in India, has been grappling with a complex web of socio-political issues, from ethnic tensions and human rights violations to economic disparities and lack of infrastructure.
People of Indian origin from across the state of Texas gathered in front of the Capitol building, undettered by the 103F heat that blanketed the city of Austin, for a remarkable display of solidarity and empathy to shed light on this crisis unfolding in Manipur. This peaceful demonstration served as a call to action for the U.S. and Indian governments alike to address the pressing issues faced by the people of Manipur. We lined the sidewalk leading to the steps of the Capitol building armed not with weapons, but with placards bearing messages of hope, justice, and change.
Unity in Diversity
Attendees included members of the Manipuri community, individuals from various Indian states, and international supporters who empathized with the plight of Manipur. Families, students, activists, and community leaders intermingled as a true embodiment of unity in diversity that stood in stark contrast to the divisive rhetoric that is currently fueling hate and destruction in Manipur. As we walked around the Capitol grounds declaring chants for justice and equality, it was a poignant reminder that the issues faced by Manipur were not isolated, but interconnected with the larger global struggle for human rights and social justice.
The event was filled with beautiful displays of the intersection of the two nations that shape the identities of many of the attendees: India and the United States. We bookended the peaceful demonstration with the national anthems of the two countries, starting our time with the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and closing with Jana Gana Mana, while both flags proudly flew side-by-side. We had a time of praise and worship in both Telugu and English, and people carried signs written in English, Telugu, and Hindi.
Speakers from diverse backgrounds took the stage, shedding light on different facets of the crisis – from the impact of armed conflicts on civilian lives to the urgent need for sustainable development and reconciliation among different ethnic groups. Especially in light of the religious undertones of the conflict in Manipur, the representation of different religious backgrounds was incredibly encouraging, as a Christian pastor, Sikh professor, and Muslim community leader shared their perspectives on how we can ALL come together in the interest of peace in Manipur and beyond.
Real Stories
In July, there was a viral video circulating throughout the world’s news outlets of two women in Manipur who were sexually assaulted and paraded naked through the streets by a large mob of men. The incident happened in May, but the rest of the world did not find out about it until two months later due to an internet ban instituted by the government in Manipur. This is just one public example of the many heinous crimes that are being committed against the people of Manipur, and one of the speakers from San Antonio shared that she “could not believe that this is happening in MY India. Gandhi-ji once said that ‘India will be free when the women feel safe to walk in the streets of India at midnight' but these acts are happening in broad daylight.”
Pastor Chinchin Tungnung, who spoke on behalf of North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA), shared his personal anecdotes about how his mother and brother’s family had to flee to safety when their childhood home was threatened and then burned to ash (the full speech is below. Of the 359 churches that have been burned down in the continual acts of aggression in Manipur, Pastor Chinchin has been a pastor for three of them before he moved to America. This powerful narrative resonated deeply with those present and those watching from afar - there were many people who walked by and did a double-take when they realized that we were advocating for our brothers and sisters in India, and some even joined our demonstration for a time.
Pastor Chinchin’s story was a jarring and saddening one, but it, unfortunately, was not the only one of its kind that was shared that day. On the morning of the demonstration, the organizers, led by Ravi Duggirala from San Antonio, received a message from campus ministry leaders in Manipur who shared that since May 2023, 13 students have had their homes looted or burned down, and many of them are unable to locate their families.
Anand Katuri from Austin read some sobering statistics about the horrifying realities of the situation in Manipur, stating that “these statistics are likely to be much higher than what is written here, but they should at least be a wake-up call.”
A Call to Action
A common phrase that we use in a time of crisis is “sending thoughts and prayers.” Thoughts and prayers are important, and as John Cherukuri from Austin shared that he was taught since he was a child, “pray for your enemies, pray for your leaders, and pray for your neighbors.” We took some time during the demonstration to pray for the assailants, pray for the Indian government, and most importantly, pray for peace in Manipur.
However, thoughts and prayers are not where we should stop. As Pastor Chinchin emphatically stated, “We have been silent for too long. We believe in God and we believe in prayer, but there is also a time to come out of the silence and make our voices heard.”
There are three main areas where you can get involved in this fight for justice - click on each one to learn more:
Engage Civically
While this demonstration was not a political statement, as a speaker from Dallas shared, “It is our right in a democracy, whether in India or the US, to speak up. If we don’t, we are responsible for what happens next.” We should reach out to US government officials to encourage them to take advantage of the international relationship between America and India and advocate for intervention in Manipur.
Representatives from the Friends of India - Texas branch shared the following verbiage to articulate this call to action: “We demand that both the state and central government must fulfill their constitutional responsibilities to ensure that perpetrators involved in the murder, torture, beheadings, sexual violence, and violence against women and children must be arrested by following due process of law.”
Donate to NAMTA (North American Manipur Tribal Association)
Raise Public Awareness
Conclusion
As Suresh Konatham from Austin (my dad!) closed his speech, “Our moral duty is to stand in solidarity with the people of Manipur. The goal of this demonstration is not to further any political or religious agenda, but instead to draw the attention of the US and Indian governments to these atrocities that are happening to our brothers and sisters in Manipur, with the hope that they will be able to intervene and pursue justice to restore peace in the region.”
As the peaceful demonstration at the Capitol Building concluded, we left with a renewed sense of purpose and determination because we recognized that this gathering was not merely symbolic, but a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals around the world. The crisis in Manipur, India became a shared concern that transcended geographical limitations, bringing people together under a common banner of hope and change. As the world continues to grapple with numerous challenges, this demonstration serves as a shining example of the potential for peaceful dialogue and collective action to create a better, more just future for all.
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed."
- Proverbs 31:8 (NLT)
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