Freedom of Soul

Whose fault would it be… whether Rabindranath Tagore for his grave mistake for excluding the North-Eastern parts of present India while composing his song or the Constitution of India to adopt Tagore’s song as a National Anthem or the people demanding justice? Or, could it be a vivid evidence that these forsaken lands were never parts of mainland India, but were colonized and annexed or merged under forgery?

Would the mainland segregate these lands to fit the National Anthem or review the current Anthem and formulate a valid National Anthem to win the emotional integrity of these forsaken people ? Whatever may it be, there lies no meaning in parenting adopted child when the parents cannot care for the child. What makes us feel so alienated to the mainland? One of the simplest reasons I guess is the deliberate and indiscriminate violation of human rights in these States. The brutal killing of Thangjam Manorama after having issued an arrest memo is a crystal clear evidence of the gross violation of human rights in the State.

The movements of the people of Manipur is for peaceful existence of life. The indifferent and flagrant attitudes of both the Centre and the State Governments towards the people of Manipur at this juncture would definitely give birth to Frankenstein’s Monster. In fact, this is what the State badly needs. Meanwhile, since the Government of Manipur’s pregnancy with Terminator which is fathered by the Government of India is in advanced state of delivery, it would be much difficult for the State to abort it by partial scrapping of Armed Forces’ Special Powers Act, 1958 or reimposing the Act or President’s Rule in the State.

The daring and supreme sacrifice of Pebam Chittaranjan Mangang could be an exemplary warning to both the Centre and the State that multitudes of suicide squads would be compelled to exist on this soil too. But unfortunately, when this spirit comes to life, the society will experience nothing except the most ghastly scene than we ever witnessed or encountered. When such terrorizing omens hover around, could any being on Earth lead an idyllic existence? Could anyone of us remain idle? How could any living creature live to die? Impossible. Why wouldn’t any living creature strive for survival? Could there be any proper reason?

It is the onus of each and every one of us, whether young or old, a man or a woman to combat the common cause of our grievances. The acknowledgement of inhuman activities have influenced my soul to liberate and starts to agitate for its Freedom of Expression. Unable to bear the heavy pressure of my soul, I yielded to the ‘Freedom of my Soul’ with the help of my pen and a piece of paper through these lines…

No Retreat, No Surrender

Come Grandmom, Come Grandad,

Come Mummy, Come Daddy,

Come Sisters and Brothers,

Fear not death

For ’tis very much close to you.

Do not wait for the Fate

Which is sure for you to share.

 

Come one, Come all,

Come Young and Aged,

Let not retreat your pace

Nor surrender to the very Fate.

Armour your Spirits with dauntless courage

For tomorrow’s children to sing

With their wings unfolded in Liberty.

 

Forget not what Martyrs held…

“Better enjoy a moment’s flight

Than be encaged in Golden bars’.

“Do or die’

Time puts to test;

A stitch in time, remember, saves nine

And it’s now, or never.

By

Rakesh Tokpam

tokpamr-at-yahoo.co.in