Honouring women’s empowerment in India is about as rare as finding an ATM today that’s giving out hundreds with no line outside. So imagine our joy when we heard that there is in fact a glorious celebration of women who waged war against exploitation - not just one, but two wars back in the 20th century.

You’re probably wondering why you haven’t seen a Facebook post about this already - if it is all that big a deal. For the most part, it’s because this celebration happened in Manipur - part of a region vastly ignored and under represented in national news.

Nupi Lal, literally translating into ‘Women’s War’ was observed for the 76th time on December 12th in Imphal. In 1904, the first Nupi Lal saw Manipuri women “rose up in arms against the British Government’s order to use men as ‘forced labour’ for the construction of an assistant political agent’s house in Imphal.

In the second Nupi Lal on December 12, 1939, thousands of women marched to the State Durbar Hall demanding a ban on the export of rice as floods had caused extensive damage to crops that year ” as stated in The Assam Tribune.

The war was essentially waged against policy, and the women initiated an agitation that eventually led to constitutional and administrative policy reform, according to The Manipur Page.

This year, the memorial kicked off with a run on a cold, foggy morning. There were more than 1000 participants, all over the age of 40 as reported by Nagaland Post. This was followed by a play based on the historic events, with only women actors and a recital of theme songs sung by Manipuri women.

The Chief Minister of Manipur addressed the state with an important message of non violence. “While stating that everybody has the right to voice their concerns and grievances to the authorities in a peaceful and democratic manner, such grievances can only be resolved through dialogues and discussions instead of indulging in spreading hatred and apprehension amongst the public which will always prove futile. Negotiation through talks is the only way to resolve an issue” he said as found on Nagaland Post.

Women’s Empowerment through the decades in India has been a tumultuous journey to say the least, and every effort deserves to be recognised, honoured and held in high esteem.

The truth of the matter is that women are subjugated in every corner of our country, and it is of vital importance that any effort to change this be given recognition. It is promising for the nation on the whole to see these Manipuri women in their 90’s running to protect and remember something so deeply important to their heritage - the collective action of women.

For more information on The Nupi Lal Movement, read this story on The Manipur Page

Feature Image Courtesy Bishambor Ksh