By Benjamin Lyngdoh
Does violence define a person or even a community? Does it shape the psychological structure and image of a people? At this crucial time, this is the point of discourse. As such, I think this article will not be a pleasant reading if we are not willing to be reasonable. To some it might seem as communal and at times as traitor-like. However, to the extent possible (if at all possible) let us cool our tempers and try to look at this entire issue in a level-headed manner. The sad fact is that we as a community are starting to fit the essence of ‘chaos theory’ which basically says that ‘a small change/incident will result in a massive perceptive difference on our behaviour’. The crux of this behaviour is manifested in the form of violence. Even worse, this violence will haunt us like a ghost for many years to come. Accordingly, I place the following pointers –
Firstly, it is important that we realize ‘why’ this violence started. This is the pivotal issue. As strange as this might sound, the fact is, we can understand this better by turning a bit to the incidents revolving on ‘acts of violence against the north-east India tribals in Delhi’. Point being, if a Marathi or Bengali gets beaten up in Delhi it is not much of an issue. However, if a Khasi is assaulted it turns into a storm of protest (or even aggression). What is the underlying reason for this? The answer is numbers; it is in demographics. Since we are a small population being beaten up in Delhi is a serious insurmountable threat to our very existence. Now let us bring this to the context of Shillong. That the ‘sons of the soil’ get beaten up by outsiders in the very heart of Khasi-land is something that can never ever be accepted. It is what we Khasis call ‘ka jinglong mraw ha la Ri’ (being slaves in our own land). It is an indication of weakness, helplessness and fear. It is a spectacle that is ridiculed by others; ‘being laughed at? This is something which cannot be tolerated. Thus, the violence! This is the crux of the matter; and even more, this violence is about sending a message to the other non-tribal communities (‘ki bar jylla’) residing in our state. Thus, it is important for the government to realize the fault lines for this violence. It is not only about Punjabi lane; rather it is about entire Shillong and the state of Meghalaya. If we fail to factor this, then the next rounds of violence (in other parts) will not be far off.
Secondly, could this issue have been nipped in the bud? Actually, this is the question many are trying to answer right now. This hindsight discourse in many quarters has brought up many interesting conjectures. One of them is that this is the making and brain child of the Congress party in the backdrop of the win in Ampati, to destabilize and topple the current government. Further, it becomes even more interesting if you factor the presence of the BJP in the current government. It is an attempt of the Congress to win over the regional parties nd form a new government. Be that as it may, one thing is for certain; mob mentality can either lead to violence or the wildest/interesting theories. Either way, we end up having a blast.
Critically speaking, this is not the first time that we have had instances of tussle at Punjabi lane. In fact, that lane has become so notorious that most of the parents vehemently warn their children from passing through it. I too was warned by my mother many years ago. Hence, at best, it is better to declare that area as a sensitive zone. This would imply a constant watch on the area against the activities of both the residents and the passers-by. This would ensure no undue tension arises amongst the people thereby avoiding large scale violence. In addition, such sort of a system must be applied in all localities of Shillong where there is a mass mixture of different communities.
Thirdly, the violence that broke out was undeniably breaking news. Here comes the role of the media. In the heated desire to get the first byte on things, media houses will go to any length to cover a story. In the process of doing so there is always a chance of misquoting a person or misreporting a story. However, that does not imply burning of a newspaper and condemnation of a media house; rather a chance must be given to the newspaper/channel to correct/apologize in the following edition. If they fail to do so, then only the genuine need for condemnation arises. Accordingly, if some quarters of our community are not agreeable to this; let us look at the other side of the same coin. During the course of the violence, our vernacular dailies were all reporting only one side of the story; the Khasi side. Their headlines and the news content were all showing the violence in good light. Point being, is this also not misquoting and misreporting? Hence, does this also not call for burning of the vernacular dailies?
In addition, the national mainstream media (in particular NDTV) were all misreporting the story in the first instance. It was bereft of facts and absolutely consistent with ‘journalistic blunder’. Of course, in their subsequent reports they verified the facts and corrected their reporting. All in all, we must recognize the power of the print and electronic media. If they can quell violence; if abused, they can create/aggravate violence. Even more importantly, we as readers/viewers must be responsible enough to reason while coming across such sensitive news coverage and think a hundred times before reacting (be it in words and/or action).
Fourthly, it’s about our dearly beloved social media. As beloved as it is, it is tricky as well. This is because its ban has split Shillong right down the middle. While some see the ban as a necessity, others find it counterproductive. Yes it is true that social media was responsible for the escalation of violence through the circulation of the fake news that one of the assaulted has succumbed to his injuries. However, we must also factor in the rarely appreciated fact that this very social media can be responsible for bringing in peace and calm through the messages of the right thinking masses. Clearly, when it comes to social media it’s about weighing the good and the bad. Most times we give in to the bad too easily. As such, if this continues it will not be long before we resemble Jammu and Kashmir as far as internet availability for social media usage is concerned.
In addition, this violence has split the Khasi community into two sets. One is the ‘violence hit aggressive part’ also called the macho part and the other is the ‘benign part’ also called the sissy part of Shillong. In fact, the word sissy in classifying Shillong is not new. I can recall my growing up days as a student of Government Boy’s Higher Secondary School. Our friends from Jaiaw, Mawkhar, Mawlai etc., call us sissies for not joining in the aggressive stances during times of tension and violence in Shillong in the 1990s. Be that as it may, the answer is twofold. Firstly, it’s about the demographic make-up of the other parts of Shillong and secondly, this time think twice before using the term ‘sissy,’ as in this instance there are many who have collectively joined the struggle (just as there are many from the macho side who have not joined).
Lastly, NEHU campus has turned into a camping place for the army personnel. This is unbecoming of an educational organization. For sure there are other places for them to camp. In this cause, I agree with the NEHU Students’ Union and the KSU NEHU Unit that they need to be moved. Seeing them in campus, gives a feel of some military operation wherein army personnel freely move around with arms. For sure, we do not want to see our campus become as such. On the other hand, the restraint and control practiced by Meghalaya police while dealing with the protestors is highly commendable. They have been trained pretty well in PR skills and this is not the first time we are witnessing this. Of course, when you are attacked by a mass of stones then you have every right to protect yourselves through tear gas; but indeed they did that when and only when needed.
To close, now it seems as though the mining ban will be lifted from our state. This means that the hullabaloo over the New Shillong Township shall happen again. However, we must ensure that the same mistake that has occurred in the case of Shillong does not repeat itself over there. We may not be able to save old Shillong from its congestion, population, environmental and traffic woes but we must ensure all these are effectively managed in the new one. In the current context, the governance must be strict; wherein no over staying and overcrowding of residential localities must be allowed over and above the allotted ones (like in the case of Punjabi lane).
(The Author teaches at NEHU)