I have been using facebook for
quite some time now. In-fact I would be one of the very few who uses the
technology much much later than many of the users. It was only in 2011 that I started
facebooking.
Much as it is a medium and a platform
for/of expression, I have been posting a range of feelings, images, news, views
and opinions, some officially published, others were my personal thoughts.
As usual, I was actively posting my
views on my FB wall in the recent #MorehIncident in Manipur #August18 where
clashes took place between protesters/rallyist and local population . To put it bluntly,
clashes took place between two communities.
Like any other friends in my
list, I too posted my views, opinions and of course pour out my anger over the
State’s apathy towards the incident. And this is not the first time I do such things on other
matters/issues. Yes, like a facebook tiger/tigress. Not on the ground where
incidents happens but away and making noise on the digital platform ;) .
My target “attack” is the
political class, the elected representatives of/by/for the people. But I was abused by many unknown names /users of FB. And most ‘significantly’ I was told to be quiet. This comes not from the rowdy street protesters but from well oiled –intelligent and educated circles as well. I was even termed “communal”.
As a person from Manipur, like it or not, I (have to) belong to “one of the conflicting party” !
And typical of the state of Manipur, the State Government too seemingly and supposedly belonged to “a certain group" - I say this because the response/re-actions on my FB post makes it appears so.
If I am term communal and unethical, I wonder what should be my approach - way of expression - ! remain a silent observer ? Then I think that would also amount to “spectator's liability" as in those watching 'crimes happens' right in front of them without intervening. Moreover didn't we always parroted the line "media plays an important role” then, should they be just a mute spectator while people kill each other? remain bureaucratically tight lipped - say no evil, hear no evil,see no evil ? remain objectively mute ?
As a person from Manipur, like it or not, I (have to) belong to “one of the conflicting party” !
And typical of the state of Manipur, the State Government too seemingly and supposedly belonged to “a certain group" - I say this because the response/re-actions on my FB post makes it appears so.
If I am term communal and unethical, I wonder what should be my approach - way of expression - ! remain a silent observer ? Then I think that would also amount to “spectator's liability" as in those watching 'crimes happens' right in front of them without intervening. Moreover didn't we always parroted the line "media plays an important role” then, should they be just a mute spectator while people kill each other? remain bureaucratically tight lipped - say no evil, hear no evil,see no evil ? remain objectively mute ?
Yes, there are complexities, complications in a communally charged state like Manipur, but does writing, posting one’s viewpoints that may or may not have a leaning towards one’s group affiliation makes you communal? Is posting views on one’s own facebook wall journalistically unethical?
One thing is clear here. Those
who had expressed their (patronizing) concern/ advice, or rather their expressed 'opinion' towards me/my FB post actually tells about their patriarchal mindset and the superiority attitude of a Man towards a Woman,
worst, a tribal woman. That, a “tribal”
woman cannot and should not be talking and thinking politics!!
1 comment:
I agree. Good one U Ninglun. I love your writings. Keep it up. :)
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