By Dr. Syed Ahmed, for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: Rich tributes were paid to those Manipuri women who had shown extraordinary courage during the great women’s agitation of 1904 and 1939, popularly known in the history of Manipur as Nupi Lal, on December 12 , 2012 in various parts of Manipur.
The main function was held at Nupi Lal Memorial Complex at Imphal, which was attended by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and other dignitaries of the State. Floral tributes were paid to the memorial statues.
Some of the Muslim Civil organizations in the State also observed Nupi Lal day to pay respect to those Muslim women who participated in the second Nupi Lal of 1939.
President of UMMWDO, Anwari Noorjahan speaking
One of the prominent Muslim civil organizations of the State, Pangal (Manipuri Muslim) Political Forum, Manipur (PPFM) observed Nupi Lal day one day ahead, on 11 December. The observance function was held at Cambridge Higher Secondary School, Khergao in Imphal East. The day was observed under the theme “Nupilalda Yaokhibee Pangal Imashingbu Manipur Sarkarna Sak-Khangbidabagee Maram.” (Reason for not recognizing the Muslim mothers who took part in Nupi Lal by the Manipur Government)
Speakers at the occasion urged the State Government to give official recognition to the contribution made by the Manipuri Muslim women in the Nupi Lal of 1939. In his speech, Spokesperson of PPFM, M.I. Khan said the day is being organised one day ahead to give the State Government enough time to discuss the issue of not recognizing those Muslim women who took part in the Nupi Lal. Their names should be included among those great women who rose in revolt against the imperialist forces, he added.
He further said that PPFM, on behalf of the Muslim community, would like to know the reason for the non-inclusion of the names of Muslim women in the list recognized by the State Government and the Nupi Lal Celebration Committee.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest of the function, MLA L. Ibomcha Singh assured that he will press the Nupi Lal Celebration Committee to include the name of those Muslim women who took part in the Nupi Lal. If necessary the matter will be placed in the State Assembly, he added.
Parliamentary Secretary, Md. Amin Shah giving speech
The function was attended by Chief Advisor of PPFM AR Khan, President of PPFM Azizul Haque Khan, Vice President of PPFM, Sitara Begum, President of Kuki Women Union, Manipur Rose Mangshi Haokip, and representatives of local bodies.
Nupi Lal Day was also observed by the prominent Muslim women civil organization, United Manipur Muslim Women’s Development Organisation (UMMWDO) at the Community Hall at Kairang Khabeisoi in Imphal East, on 12 December, 2012.
The function was attended by Parliamentary Secretary of Minority and Other Backward Classes (MOBC) & SCs Md. Amin Shah, President of UMMWDO Anwari Noorjahan, President of Meetei National Front C. Wangambi Leima, Secretary of Manipur State Minorities Commission Dr. Raheijuddin Sheikh, General Secretary of Muslim Advocates Legal Services Ravi Khan, Zilla Parishad Badrur Rahman, Pradhan Md. Nurjaman, General Secretary of All Manipur Muslim Students’ Organisation Md. Anwar Hussain, among others.
Many of the speakers at the function also called upon the State Government and the Nupi Lal Celebration Committee to give State recognition to those Muslim women who took active part in the great agitation of 1939. In her speech, Anwari Noorjahan said her organization is ready to submit a memorandum to the State Government demanding recognition of the Muslim women who took part in the second Nupi Lal. Secretary of Manipur State Minorities Commission, Dr. Raheijuddin Sheikh assured that the Commission will extend all possible assistance to the move made by UMMWDO.
Nupi Lal:
In the first Nupi Lal of 1904, Manipuri women rose in revolt against the order of the then British Political Agent of Manipur, H. St. P. Maxwell which forced all the male population of Imphal area to reconstruct the residential bunglow of Assistant Political Agent, which was razed down by fire. The order also directed the men folk to fetch timber for constructing the bunglow from Kabaw valley, now a part of Burma.
In the second Nupi Lal that took place in December 12, 1939, thousands of Manipuri women marched towards the State Durbar Hall demanding ban on the export of local rice to Indian states by non-local businessmen (Marwaris) with the support of the British authorities. The export had caused acute shortage of rice in Manipur. Many Muslim women from the surrounding areas of Imphal took part in this agitation.
A member of UMMWDO speaking
The names of those Muslim women who took part in the agitation of 1939 are given below:
The Muslim women who were jailed for demolishing the Kasturi Store
1. Mrs. Sara Bibi, wife of Nur Ali, from Khergao Sabal Lekai
2. Mrs. Tombi Bibi, wife of Ibrahim
3. Mrs. Shajoubi Bibi, wife of Nurali from Khetri Awang Leikei
Those Muslim women involved in the incident of 12 Dec. 1939
1. Mrs. Yaima Bibi, wife of Amubi, from Pangkhong
2. Mrs. Apambi Bibi, wife of Usmail, from Keikhu
3. Mrs. Amubi Bibi, wife of Thambou, from Khergao
4. Mrs. Nurjahan Bibi, wife of Hamid, from Khergao
5. Mrs. Tombi Bibi, wife of Amuba, from Khergao
6. Mrs. Amulala Bibi, wife of Sangai, from Sangai Haji of Khergao
7. Mrs. Marem Bibi, wife of Sabgai Haji, from Khergao
8. Mrs. Heitol Bibi, daughter of Bibisan, from Khergao
9. Mrs. Hasi, wife of Jalan, from Khergao
10. Mrs. Jamila Bibi, wife of Toyai Bengoon Khongba, from Sabal Leikei
11. Mrs. Jamila Bibi, wife of Bashei Munshi, from Khergao
12. Mrs. Garam Bibi, wife of Suleiman, from Khergao
13. Mrs. Duli Achoubi Bibi, Maulvi Asadullah, from Poprmpat
14. Mrs. Khambi Bibi, Khamba, from Khetri Awang Leikei
15. Mrs. Meherani Bibi, daughter of Tonupa, from Khetri
16. Mrs. Leiren Bibi, wife of Kaji, from Sabal Leikei
17. Mrs. Thanil Bibi, wife of Muham, from Sabal Leikei
18. Mrs. Shara, wife of Chaoba, from Sabal leikei
19. Mrs. Guljan Bibi, wife of Siddique Ali, from Khetri
20. Mrs. Tomba Bibi, wife of Babu, from Khergao
21. Mrs. Shajoubi Bibi, wife of Nur Ali, from Khetri Awang Leikei
22. Mrs. Safarjan Bibi, wife of Iboton, from Khetri
23. Mrs. Kunje Bibi, wife of a non-Manipuri
24. Mrs. Kulsum Bibi, wife of Chaoba
25. Mrs. Khodi Bibi, wife of Toyai, from Khergao
26. Mrs. Ibeyai Bibi, wife of Nejamun
27. Mrs. Bodon Tombi Bibi, wife of Gulap Mia
28. Mrs. Sanabi Bibi, wife of Sanatol
The above details are given in Kayamuddin Pukhrimayum’s article “Women’s Agitation and Muslim Women.” (Sourced from http//manipuronline.com/Features/Dec.2002). The article, originally written in Manipuri was translated into English by K. Kulladhaja Singh.