March 13, 2025: “If you can’t change the story, change the narrative.” – Sun Tzu.
This quote aptly describes the ongoing controversy surrounding recent social media posts by HS Benjamin Mate, which accuse Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba of historical misdeeds and perpetuating falsehoods about the Kuki-Zo community.
Mate, a former Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) leader and a sidelined BJP ST leader in Churachandpur, has alleged that the Maharaja’s ancestors sold off the Kabaw Valley and that he has actively targeted the Kuki-Zo people.
However, these claims lack credible historical evidence and seem to be a deliberate attempt to distort history for political and communal gains.
The assertion that Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba’s grandfather unilaterally sold the Kabaw Valley to Burma without consulting the Kuki-Zo community is not supported by historical records.
The transfer of the Kabaw Valley was a result of complex geopolitical negotiations involving British colonial authorities and the Burmese Kingdom, not a unilateral decision made by a single ruler.
Additionally, the allegations that the Maharaja has stigmatized the Kuki-Zo people as foreigners and refugees remain unsubstantiated.
There is no credible evidence linking him to such rhetoric or any association with armed groups.
Instead, it is important to recognize that certain elements within the Kuki-Zo community have actively propagated their own divisive narratives, often framing themselves as perpetual victims while disregarding their own role in inter-ethnic conflicts.
The ongoing violence and territorial disputes involving armed Kuki-Zo groups cannot be ignored, and their actions have also contributed to the instability in Manipur.
Furthermore, the tendency of some Kuki-Zo leaders and organizations to rewrite history to serve their interests has only deepened communal tensions.
By pushing exaggerated or misleading claims, they risk alienating other communities and worsening the fragile socio-political situation in the state.
If the goal is peaceful coexistence, then all communities—including the Kuki-Zo—must acknowledge their own actions and responsibilities instead of solely blaming others.
At a time when Manipur faces deep social and ethnic divisions, it is crucial to challenge misinformation from all sides.
False narratives, whether propagated by individuals like HS Benjamin Mate or by certain groups within the Kuki-Zo community, only serve to deepen mistrust and hostility.
Moving forward, responsible discourse based on historical accuracy, fairness, and mutual respect is necessary to prevent further conflict and build a more stable, united Manipur.
