THE Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) has given a press release on 21st of February 2024 targeting the memorandum submitted by All Naga Student’s Association, Manipur (ANSAM) to the Hon’ble Governor on 17th February 2024. A news item was published on this matter in The Sangai Express on 22nd February 2024. As a social activist it is felt that the matter needs deeper understanding of the issues involved. This writing on the above context should not be construed as a response from ANSAM but as opinions of a concerned citizen of Manipur.
Check this | ANSAM submits memo against the STDCM’s demand for inclusion of the Meetei/Meitei in Scheduled Tribe list
The press release termed the stance of ANSAM on the demand of the Meitei community for inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribe (ST) as “unfortunate” and “uncalled for” and this needs to be considered and understood from the perspective of the tribal people living in the “Hill Areas” of Manipur.
It is necessary to understand why many tribals feel unhappy and apprehensive about the demand for ST status for the Meitei community. Recall that the tribes from the “Hill Areas” have been demanding for extension of the Sixth Scheduled to the “Hill Areas” of Manipur since the 1980’s. The demand for extension of the Sixth Schedule to “Hill Areas” of Manipur, which is already enjoyed by many states in the north eastern region, has been obstructed by the state government dominated by the Meitei community for almost 50 years. The state government has already implemented the empowered Panchayati Raj system for the valley districts since 1994 under the 73rd amendment of the Constitution. Its counterpart in the “Hill Areas” is still working under the archaic Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act of 1971. This Act has become outdated and redundant especially after witnessing the powers and functions enjoyed by the Bodoland Territorial Council in Assam state. The words “unfortunate” and “uncalled for” resonates for the tribes too when it comes to opposition to the demand by the tribes for extension of the Sixth Schedule in the “Hill Areas”. The Meitei leadership and community have been opposing and obstructing the demand of the tribes for extension of the Sixth Scheduled to the “Hill Areas” of Manipur. In this case too, the demand of the tribes is in accordance with the constitution of India. Established procedures, modalities and criteria will be followed and it is for the central government and Parliament to consider granting the demand. The political leaders from the “Hill Areas”, student bodies and other tribal bodies have approached the state government several times in the past demanding extension of the Sixth Schedule but to no avail. The tribes also have a right to claim constitutional safeguards as it is their rights for survival and denying it is unjust. One way traffic for consideration of demands only for the Meitei community with total disregard to the demand of the tribals is unacceptable. The benefits have to flow both ways. The demands of both aggrieved parties should be proposed and matter should be left to the central government for its decision.
Must read | COCOMI urges Manipur Assembly to take decision on NRC implementation; abrogate SoO Kuki militants
The STDCM has deceptively stated that “its demand does not intend to infringe upon the interests of other communities already included in the ST list”. But the beans have been spilled already by the MLAs from the valley that one of the objectives for becoming ST is to possess tribal lands in the “Hill Areas” of Manipur by becoming a ST. For reservation benefits, it has been argued that reservation in government employment and seats in institutes of professional and technical learning can be regulated and it will not harm the interest of those already enjoying the ST reservation benefits. But the rationale extended for land grab that the valley constitute 10% and the hills 90% of Manipur is not convincing. If this is the case, why has all major government infrastructure, state level and central institutes and institutions been located in the imphal valley? Under this logic the hill district headquarters should have been given the lion’s share on account of its land mass. Strengthening the suspicion that the ST demand is primarily for grabbing tribal lands in the “Hill Areas” are the attempts made by the Union Minister of State Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh in his two letters to the Hon’ble Prime Minister proposing for amendment of Article 371-C to the effect of removing the safeguards relating to tribal lands in the “Hill Areas”, and the other letter asking for special administrative arrangement with security cover for Moreh and Kwatha, a Meitei village. Both these proposals are Meitei-centric demands with total disregard for the tribal population which represents about 41% of the state’s population. Office bearers of the Meetei Tribal Union had approached the High Court of Manipur for the ST status demand and obtained a favourable order surreptitiously through subterfuge, which became the trigger for the current ethnic conflict, is another instance of the all out efforts of Meitei community to become ST to enable them to possess tribal lands in the “Hill Areas”.
Must read | Will deport all Meiteis from Mizoram, warns Mizo Students’ Union
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968) used the phrase by saying: Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughness. The tribes have become wiser and it would appear that they are compelled to play the game taught to them by the Meitei community. Tribals have learnt their lessons the hard way. They had easily conceded to the demand for inclusion of Manipuri script in the Eighth Schedule of the constitution. They lost a good bargaining chip without getting anything in return for themselves. The Meiteis are now the beneficiaries of inclusion of Manipuri script in the Eighth Schedule as it is now allowed as a language for various recruitments in central government services and organisations. This time the demand for ST status for Meiteis or the demand by some leaders for amendment of Article 371-C, both targeted to grab tribal lands from the “Hill Areas” will not go unopposed by the tribes and they portend risky events that may lead to disintegration of the state.
Also read | Global Naga Forum Holds Virtual Meeting to Address Threats to Free Movement Regime
Several of my previous writings emphasised upon the need for the ST status demand of the STDCM to be based on a scientific approach. The Lokur Committee recommended five criteria for identification namely; primitive traits, distinct culture, geographical isolation, shyness of contact with the community at large, and backwardness. These parameters will obviously apply to the present day living conditions of the Meitei community and not of the past. The first question is whether the Meitei community possess primitive traits? Meiteis have embraced Hinduism for 300 years now, except a few who follow the traditional religion. They have proudly assimilated the fine culture and traditions of Hinduism. They claim to be mainly Kshatriya Caste. Some of them are categorised as Scheduled Caste (SC) while the remaining majority are classified as Other Backward Classes (OBC) which raises a constitutional question whether a single community can be listed in all three reservation categories under the constitution. This question needs an answer before pressing for demand to be ST too. Only an ethnographic study can throw light on whether the Meiteis were tribes at one point of time and whether they still possess tribal traits for classifying them as ST. The present day Meiteis are definitely not primitive. Yes, the Meitei community has a distinctive culture which is a blend of indigenous culture and tradition with Hinduism. This may perhaps be the only criteria of the Lokur Committee which the Meitei community may fulfil. But if this is viewed from the context of backwardness, it may not qualify as a justification since the distinctive culture is not a primitive unique culture or having tribal and backwardness traits. Are Meiteis geographically isolated? Definitely not! They live in the Imphal valley of 1,864.44 sq.km where all villages are connected by paved motorable roads. The valley has an international airport and the rail connectivity to Imphal is under construction. Four national highways pass through Imphal city. There is not a single village in the Imphal valley without motorable road. Are Meiteis shy of contact with the community at large? Definitely not! More than 50% of Meiteis are in the state government service. They have 40 MLAs out of 60 in the state assembly. Politically and administratively the state government is in their hands. They are the advanced and dominant community in the state. Are the Meiteis backward then? Not at all! Almost all major infrastructure, state level and central institutes and institutions are concentrated in Imphal city and the valley districts. Literacy rate of Manipur is 84% in census 2011. The Meitei community has the highest numbers of doctors, engineers, lawyers, judges, businessmen etc in the state. The Meiteis are definitely not backward. For consideration of examining the demand of the Meitei community for inclusion in the list of ST, it is imperative that a new socio-economic survey should be carried out and the data and information from the survey report applied to the criteria of the Lokur Committee.
Must read | Abnormal population growth of Chin-Kuki-Zo in Manipur since 1881
Appeal has been made repeatedly to base the justification of STDCM of being a tribal community on a recent ethnographic study as advised by the government of India in the letter dated 29.05.2013 from the ministry of tribal affairs to prove whether they possess tribal traits and are still tribals today. Appeal has also been made to carry out a new socio-economic survey as advised in the same letter from Government of India to determine whether they meet the criteria laid down by the Lokur Committee to be termed as ST. It has been emphasised in earlier writings that the ethnographic study and socio-economic survey should be carried out in a transparent manner by independent third parties having impeccable credentials and reputation. The state government should not carry out the study and survey directly as the government is already dominated by government employees and academicians from the Meitei community and will suffer from accusations of bias and partiality. The study and survey has to be done by an independent third party appointed by the government, preferably the central government.
Also read | Facts about Article 371-C: Attempts to tinker with it could trigger a tribal vs non-tribal conflict
The Meitei community should not forget that the tribes always have an option to opt out of Manipur state and ask for their own administrative arrangement or merge with existing tribal states if the demand of ST status based on emotional grounds persist and are pushed against the wall. The appeals made herein and earlier is to ensure transparency, credibility, accountability in conducting the study and survey and have the reports processed and considered in a scientific approach.
The last para of the press release of STDCM is perhaps the only redeeming aspect about the entire matter. It states that “the STDCM is committed to promoting unity among all indigenous communities in Manipur, fostering peaceful coexistence and mutual progress”. This is what the citizens of Manipur want. Put these words into action. Coexistence is the only way forward and both valley communities and tribals people should earnestly work to achieve this goal.
At the end I repeat that these are solely my personal views and they do not represent the views of ANSAM or any organisation.
Ngaranmi Shimray is an activist and political observer based in New Delhi. View are personal. Shimray2011@gmail.com. Feedback/comment @Aran Shimray on X
This is not a Ukhrul Times publication. UT is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any reports or views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of Ukhrul Times.
About The Author
