By Dr. Syed Ahmed, for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: The 75th anniversary of Nupi Lan, or women’s agitation of 1904 and 1939, was observed in Manipur on Dec. 12, 2014. Many Muslim civil societies in Manipur urged State Government to recognise the Muslim women who took part in the women’s agitation of 1939.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at the Nupi Lan anniversary celebration held on Dec. 11 at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, MLA Laishram Ibomcha said that it is very unfortunate that the State Government has failed to recognise the Muslim women who took part in the women’s agitation of 1939. He further said he will raise the issue in the winter session of the Assembly which is going to start on Dec. 14. The State Government and the Nupi Lan Celebration Committee should recognise the role played by the Muslim women in the agitation of 1939. The function was organised by Pangal (Muslim) Political Forum (PPF) Women Society.
The function was graced by President of PPF Women Society Leina Sahani, President of PPF Azizul Haque, Advisor of PPF Women Society Sitara Begum and President of All Manipur Tammi-Chingmi Apunba Lup S. Momonleima.
United Manipur Muslim Women’s Development Organization (UMMWDO) also observed the anniversary of Nupi Lan at Kwakta Bazar Community Hall at Moirang, Bishnupur District on Dec. 12.
The function was attended by Sadar of Jamiat-ul-Ulama Moulvi Islauddin Qasmi, Chairperson of Kwakta Municipal Council Mrs. Serabanu, Zilla Parishad of Kwakta Gram Panchayat Md. Bharot, President of All Manipur Muslim Students’ Organization (AMMSO) Md. Farid Khan, Assistant Professor of D.M. College of Arts Dr. Syed Ahmed and President of UMMWDO Anwari Noorjahan as Presidium members.
Dr. Syed Ahmed spoke on the topic “The role of Muslim women in the Nupi Lan of 1939.”
Speaking at the function, Anwari Noorjahan said that the State Government and the Nupi Lan Celebration Committee should recognise and pay due homage to the 30 Muslim women who took active part in the women’s agitation of 1939.
The State function was held at Nupi Lan Memorial Complex. Chief Minister O. Ibobi, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Speaker Th. Lokeshwar, Ministers, MLAs, DGP and other dignitaries of the State paid floral tributes at the memorial. A play on Nupi Lan was also staged.
The first Nupi Lan took place in 1904 when large number of women agitated to challenge the order issued by the British administrators asking all the menfolk of Imphal to rebuilt the bunglow of Assistant Political Agent which was burnt down by some unidentified persons.
The second Nupi Lan that took place in 1939-40 was caused by the export of rice from the State by the non-local traders which led to the acute shortage of rice in the State. An agitation was launched on Dec. 12, 1939 led by women vendors of Khwairamband Bazar demanding ban on export of rice from the State. The agitated women attacked the Durbar Hall and Telegraph Office. Many women were injured in the confrontation with the sepoys. The agitation soon transformed into a movement for political reform and paved way for an emergence of modern Manipur.