In the wake of a viral video depicting the horrific ordeal of Kuki-Zo women being paraded naked in Manipur on May 4, the entire nation has been shaken, and international communities, particularly the Christian community in London, have expressed anguish and dismay.
The Women of North East India Support Network (WNESN) in London organised a silent march on July 26, outside the Indian High Commission, demanding justice for Manipur and expressing solidarity with the victims. Holding several placards of “We are Silenced”, “Save our sisters,” “Women bodies are not battlefield” and several more, the protestors marched from the Indian High Commission to Parliament Square, where they concluded their protest at Mahatma Gandhi’s statue opposite the House of Parliament complex.
“Together we marched in solidarity to share the pain and anguish of our two Kuki-Zo sisters of Manipur who were paraded naked and gang-raped,” WNESN said in a statement.
A candlelight march was also held in Jaipur, Rajasthan on July 29, with thousands of people gathering to show solidarity with the people of Manipur. Banners with powerful messages such as “Respect Women,” “Stop Violence in Manipur,” and “All Indians Are Equal” were seen as a call for peace to be restored in the region.
In Jalandhar, Punjab, more than 50,000 people from various Christian denominations came together on July 29 to demand an end to the violence in Manipur.
The Jalandhar Diocese had released a press note on July 27, condemning the ongoing violence and crimes against women in the region. The note announced solidarity rallies in four different places – Gurdaspur, Ferozepur Cantonment, Jalandhar and Amritsar on July 29. The diocese has planned to send a memorandum to the President of India, the Governor of Punjab, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women and all the district collectors appealing to them to take necessary steps to restore law and order and reconciliation in Manipur.
Another protest followed in Nakodar that falls under district Jalandhar where the Catholics, Church of North India, the Pentecostals and many non-Christians united to rally on the road on July 31.
Mizoram also witnessed a historic solidarity march for the Zohnahthlak tribals of Manipur, with 42 places hosting gatherings on July 25.
“Mizoram has never witnessed such a huge turnout of people for a cause,” Lalrinmawii Fanai, Vice President of the Peoples Conference Party, told Christian Today.
Meanwhile, in the state of Jharkhand, a protest rally was organised in Ranchi, Bihar on July 23 by the Jharkhand Christian Youth Association (JCYA), demanding justice for Manipur.
The All-Karnataka United Forum for Christian Human Rights (AKUFCHR) conducted a peace rally in Bengaluru, Karnataka, where they urged immediate action against vigilantes and anti-social elements. They also called for the restoration of houses, public property, and churches that were vandalised or burnt to instil a sense of security among the people of Manipur.
“We urge all stakeholders, including the government, law enforcement agencies, and community leaders, to prioritise peacebuilding efforts, ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents,” the release said.
As the peace and protest rallies spread across India, BJP leader, Vinod Sharma, resigned from the party on July 27 over the Manipur issue. He expressed his dismay at the situation in Manipur and criticised the lack of action by the Prime Minister in addressing the crisis.
“I have resigned from the BJP with a heavy heart. The Manipur situation has defamed India…. Our PM doesn’t have the courage to sack CM (chief minister) Biren Singh. As a human being, I couldn’t tolerate this and raised the matter,” said Sharma.
The BJP Mizoram vice-president R. Vanramchhuanga submitted his resignation on July 14, alleging that the Union and the state government remained mute spectators of the Manipur violence.
“Therefore, I do believe that the massive demolition of Christian Churches in Manipur was supported by the state and Central authorities,” he said in his resignation letter.
The viral video and its subsequent outcry have not only gripped the nation of India but have also led to a unified global expression of solidarity and demand for justice for the victims in Manipur.
As the calls for peace and accountability echo across the country and beyond, the international community watches closely, urging authorities to take necessary steps to restore order and protect the rights of all residents in Manipur.