By Dr. Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: A procession carrying the portrait of Hijam Irabot among other events marked the 118th birth anniversary of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot observed across the state.
Considered as the father of modern Manipur, Irabot was a versatile personality who made his mark as a writer, politician, journalist and a true revolutionary. Irabot, born on September 30, 1896, stood up boldly and fought relentlessly against all kinds of exploitation prevalent during the period.
Manipuri Muslims participating in march past parade at the observance of 117th birth anniversary of Hijam Irabot (Photo by E-Pao.)
The main function was held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound on September 30, his birth anniversary. The commemorative function started from Irabot Bhavan from where a portrait of Hijam Irabot was taken to Palace Compound by a large procession.
The procession participants included members of the Irabot Celebration Committee and Nupi Marup members of different blocks while a lively and impressive band party of 1st Bn Manipur Rifles played tunes of Hijam Irabot’s different popular songs, the procession.
At the end of the procession at the Palace Compound Sumang Leela Gate, the portrait of Hijam Irabot was kept and rich floral tributes were paid to the popular leader by CPI comrades and others who attended the commemorative function.
It was followed by a march past parade participated by around 58 contingents, after which the birth anniversary function proceeded at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Sanglen. Scores of Manipuri Muslims too participated in the march past parade.
Eminent writer late Nongthombam Kunjamohan was honoured with the Lamyanba Hijam Irabot Award today during the 118th birth anniversary function.
During the function, eminent writer of the State Late Nongthombam Kunjamohan was awarded with the Hijam Irabot Award 2014. The award carries Rs 20,000 in cash, a shawl and a citation.
Thiyam Meghachandra Journalist award 2014 was awarded to Ningombam Hemanta, Editor Huiyen Lanpao Manipuri edition, Hijam Achouba Shinmee Award was awarded to Athokpam Ibomcha Meetei (Yum Shaba) and the newly instituted award in the name of Late Thokchom Achouba, former CPI MLA from Khangabok AC was handed over to the Y Ebeni Devi, President Manipur Keithel Nupi Marup.
A book comprising of 123 songs based on Lamyanba Jananeta Hijam Irabot was released by veteran CPI leader comrade M Ibohal. It also carries 13 songs penned by Irabot himself.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr M Nara said that the function is a part of the month long 118 birth anniversary celebration of Jananeta Hijam Irabot held in different parts of the state. He lamented that there is no capable leader like Irabot in contemporary Manipur, which is drifting like a rudderless ship.
Commenting on the large number of people who came out to attend the birth anniversary celebration, Dr Nara noted that Hijam Irabot has a place in the hearts of every people of Manipur.
N Mangi said that Jananeta Hijam Irabot was the one who had opposed the Central Government’s decision to make a Purvanchal State by merging some States of the North East. Irabot opposed this political manoeuvre in order to protect the identity and culture of Manipuri people.
Another function was held at MDU Hall under the aegis of the Jananeta Hijam Irabot Birthday Celebration Committee (JHIBCC). It started with offering floral tributes to the photograph of Irabot and presentation of paeans in memory of the late leader. Manipur Pollution Control Board Chairman Dr Ng Bijoy and JHIBCC chairman Meitram Shamu attended the function as chief guest and president respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ng Bijoy said that Hijam Irabot was a freedom fighter, social reformer, an economist and a politician, all rolled into one. “Irabot also campaigned for the welfare of women and youth. As a politician, he struggled to create and promote social harmony,” Dr Bijoy said and suggested replacement of the epithet ‘Jananeta’, a foreign language word, with an appropriate Manipuri word.
Hijam Irabot – the leader of the people, a freedom fighter, social reformer, a politician and a man of literature, was born on September 30, 1896 to Hijam Ibungohal Singh and Chongtham Ningol Thambalngambi at Oinam Leikai near Pishumthong. He had his early education at Johnstone Higher Secondary School, Imphal and later at Pugoj High School in Dhaka. He married Rajkumari Khomdonsana, daughter of M.K. Chandrahas, elder brother of the then reigning King Churachand.
As a writer, Irabot brought out a hand written magazine, titled Meitei Chanu in 1922. He published Saidem Seireng, which was prescribed as a textbook for the High School students of Class V. He wrote Mohini, a novel published in serialized form in Yakairol monthly and wrote Dalil Amasung Darkhast Iba (1933). He was the editor and founder of the weekly Anouba Jug in 1947. He wrote plays and acted too. He was the founder General Secretary of Manipur Sahitya Parishad.
Irabot was a sportsman, who played hockey, football, cricket, etc. He was the founder member of Imphal Town Club, a premier sports club in his time, and Manipur Sports Association.
Above all these, Irabot was a selfless leader who fought for the cause of down-trodden sections of the Manipuri society. He challenged and fought against the oppression of the common mass by the ruling elites.
Irabot was the founder member of Nikhil Manipuri Hindu Mahasabha, founded in 1934 with King Churachand as President with an aim to unite the Manipuris spread in and outside Manipur. The session of the Mahasabha was held in Manipur and outside. The second and third sessions were at Tarapur, Silchar (1936) and at Mandalay (1937) respectively. The word ‘Hindu’ was dropped from Nikhil Manipuri Hindu Mahasaba and the body became a political outfit after the fourth session, which was held at Chinga (1938).
Another body founded by Irabot, Manipur Praja Samelini, played a significant role in the Second Nupi Lan or Women’s Agitation of 1939. He was imprisoned for 3 years for his role in this agitation. He was lodged at Imphal jail, but later transported to Sylhet Jail. At the Sylhet Jail, he met many Communist leaders, including Biresh Mishra and Editor of Naya Duniya Jyotirmoy Nandi. He was influenced by the Communist ideologies. He wrote a collection of poems, Imagi Puja during his stay at the Sylhet jail.
Irabot was released from the Sylhet jail on March 20, 1943. However he was not permitted to enter Manipur. He stayed at Cachar and worked among the Manipuri peasants. He joined the Kishan movement, and attended the first Congress of the CPI held at Bombay in 1943. He also led a delegation from Cachar to the All India Kishan Sabha session held in Mymensing District of Bengal.
Irabot was detained at the Silchar district jail from September 1944 to January 1945 on the charge of being a Communist. He was allowed to stay in Manipur for a week in September 1945. He contested the Assam Provincial Legislatures Assembly election of 1946 from the Silchar constituency as a CPI candidate, but lost.
[Photo by manipurtimes.com]
Irabot returned to Manipur in March 1946 and established Manipur Praja Mandal. He attended the second session of CPI held at Calcutta in 1948. He met the Burma Communist Party leader Thakin Than Toon at the session and later went on to form the Communist Party of Manipur on August 23, 1948.
Irabot contested the historic election for the Manipur Assembly in 1948 from the Utlou constituency as a Krishak Sabha candidate. He won the election. Before the inauguration of the Assembly, Irabot organised a meeting at the MDU Hall in September 21, 1948 on behalf of the Manipur Praja Sangha and Manipur Krishak Sabha, to protest the formation of Purbachal Pradesh, comprising of Manipur, Tripura, Cachar and Lushai Hills. People came from different parts of Manipur to attend the meeting.
A scuffle took place at Pungdongbam between Manipur Sate Police and the people who had gathered for the meeting. A police officer was killed on the spot. The Manipur State Council declared the Manipur Praja Sangha and Manipur Krishak Sabha unlawful. Irabot fail to attend the first session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly held on October 18, 1948 because of the warrant against him. He formed an underground Communist Party of Manipur on October 29, 1948 and carried out armed struggle against the government. He passed away September 26, 1951 at the Tangbo village of Burma.
(This article was updated on October 3, 2014 with more biographical information on Hijam Irabot.)