It is customary for numerous meetings to be held in Imphal and nearby districts on 30th September every year in memory of Comrade Irabot, a legendary communist leader of Manipur. This year’s events were marked by a lively debate that broke out over what it means to uphold his example today.
It is customary for numerous meetings to be held in Imphal and nearby districts on 30th September every year in memory of Comrade Irabot, a legendary communist leader of Manipur. This year’s events were marked by a lively debate that broke out over what it means to uphold his example today. Below is a report received by Mazdoor Ekta Committee of a well-attended meeting held at Kakching-Khunou in Thoubal district.
The speakers included M. Gyaneshwar, assistant teacher at Chekshapat High School, M. Rajendranath Singh, lecturer at Kakching-Khunou College, Kh. Ningthem Singh, social worker, Th. Ranjit Singh, social worker and Kh. Sanayaima Singh, retired teacher of Checshapat High School.
The discussion was initiated by Gyaneshwar, who gave a brief history of Irabot, highlighting the fact that he laid the foundation for the movement for communism in Manipur.
Rajendranath pointed out that Irabot applied to become a member of the Communist Party of India, and his application was accepted. He then began in earnest to organize a widespread movement to put an end to British rule and the oppressive system prevailing at that time.
Ranjit asserted powerfully that to uphold the example of Irabot does not mean just meeting once a year to talk about him. It means to think and act as a revolutionary communist today and deal with the problems facing our society. He pointed out that the present-day rulers are trying to turn Irabot into a harmless icon in order to blunt the sharp edge of his political ideology. He said that the point was not to worship Irabot as a god or superhuman being, but to understand and continue with his unfinished mission. He said that the science of Marxism-Leninism shows that the crisis-ridden capitalist system needs to be replaced with socialism. But the ruling elite is trying to prolong the life of the capitalist system.
Ningthem observed that the anniversary of Irabot is observed by all types of people, including the so-called leaders of today, who cannot go anywhere without their armed guards to protect them. They are trying to present Irabot as just a poet, a sports enthusiast or a social reformer. However, the key thing about Irabot is that he fought against all forms of exploitation and oppression. He recalled that Irabot had written a book called “Capitalism” (Punjibad), to explain the Marxist teachings about the capitalist system and the necessity for proletarian revolution. He concluded that to uphold the example of Irabot means to take up the struggle to defeat capitalist democracy and rule through state terror, end the colonial style state and economic system of plunder and open the path to a bright socialist future.
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Hijam Irabot Singh, commonly known Jananeta Irabot, was born on 30th September, 1896, at Pishum Oinam Leikai in Imphal, Manipur. He was an anti-colonial fighter, communist political activist and statesman, poet, playwright and social activist. Irabot was the brain behind the first political party in Manipur, called Nikhil Manipuri Hindu Mahasabha, later renamed the Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha. He founded many mass organisations including the Manipur Peasant Union or Krishak Sabha, All-Manipur Youth League,Manipur Mahila Samalini, Manipur Student Federation and Praja Sangha. He was arrested and deported to Sylhet Jail in1940. There he met Indian communist leaders and was introduced to communist literature. Irabot was released from jail on 20th March, 1943, but was not permitted to enter Manipur. He stayed in Cachar district to work among peasants and tea garden workers. He organised cultural squads among them. He attended the First Congress of the Communist party of India held at Bombay in May-June, 1943.He led a delegation from Cachar to the All India Kisan Sabha session held in Mymensing District of Bengal. He also attended the Second Congress of CPI held at Calcutta in Feb-Mar 1948. In the 1948 election to the Manipur Assembly,Irabot contested and won from the Utlou Constituency as a Krishak Sabha candidate. He led the formation of the first District Committee of CPI in Manipur that same year. He was charged with shooting a policeman and forced to go underground, after which the Krishak Sabha and Praja Sangha were banned by the post-independent Government of India. He too was banned from the Manipur Assembly. He died of malaria on 26th September, 1951, at the foothills of the Anggo Hills. |