Support for Schedule Tribe Status of Meetei

May 14th, 2016, Imphal:

People's Movement for Resurgent Manipur (PMRM) supports the demand for inclusion of Meetei in the Schedule Tribe list of India. We would fully support the struggle and make it possible to safeguard the Meetei Community’s right in Indian Constitution. PMRM supports the Mass Rally on 22nd May for the demand of ST for Meetei Community.

PMRM also laments on the present anti ST demand groups, misguiding and misinforming the genuine demands of a minority Meetei Community. It is unfortunate to see some anti Schedule Tribe demands within the community.

Reacting sharply to the anti ST demand groups, PMRM asked what is the special provisions of Indian Constitution which prevents and protects the so called high class Meetei race in terms of Human rights violations and indiscrimination by mainland India? For those communities included in the ST list, various laws are passed to protect and safeguard the communities. Why don’t we Meetei demand such special protection and laws too, if we think our race is an endangered one in the changing globalization.

A mere population of 7.5 lakhs Meetei population need a special provision if we need to survive among 125 crore Indian population. PMRM also supports the Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) demand is also legitimate for the Manipuri population, including every indigenous communities living in the region since time immemorial.

However, the question is why do we need ILPS and for whom to protect? If only we included in the protected category of Indian Constitution, ILPS is necessary and meaningful. For a General category like Meetei (at present status) it is unnecessary to demand ILPS. ILPS is needed to act as a Gate to preserve and conserve indigenous and protected communities like Schedule Tribes or Schedule Castes. Therefore, for a state like Manipur, both ILPS and ST are a must and people must fully cooperate in these two demands.

Meetei race successfully fulfills every criteria laid down by the Indian Constitution. Meetei has primitive indigenous characters, distinctive culture, and geographical isolation in the Valley only. Out of 22,327 square kilometers, Meetei race are geographically restricted to stay in a small area of 2000 square kilometers only. The demand for Inner Line Permit System for the Manipur is a clear indication that Meetei community are threatened to mingle with the Majority communities of the Indian State. We should accept that Meetei are backward community in terms of economy. We don’t have sound economic provisions to call ourselves advanced race as compared to major communities of the Country.

How many crorepatis and businessmen are from Meetei Community, How many Top officials and bureaucracies and policy makers are sitting in Centre? What we have achieved so far is by hard work only. We need special provisions to become a majority community in India.

Politically speaking, Meetei is not an advanced race in the Indian Constitution with only One Lok Sabha MP and One Rajya Sabha (if we sent a Meetei). When Tripuri, Ahom and Tai can bats for Schedule Tribes Category, why should Meetei be left out?

Meetei is an ethnic endangered race with less than 10 lakhs population. If we have a demographic population of more than 1 crore, our demands for ST is uncalled for! If we have 5-10 Meetei MPs in Indian Politics, we don’t need an ST status. If Manipur was not annexed to Indian dominions, we don’t need such reservations like Schedule Tribe, Schedule Tribe or Other Backward Class for the Meetei.

It is wrongful information spread by some anti ST demand groups that only Meetei with Sanamahi religion can be included in the Schedule Tribe List. Any person can possess any religion.

PMRM also invites the full cooperation and support of 60 thousand Meetei Pangal (Manipuri Muslims) who are now included in the OBC List and the Lois from Kakching, Sekmai, Andro, Phayeng, Thanga etc who are already included in the Schedule Caste list to join the movements as Schedule Tribes for unity and secure future of the region.

Sd/-
Khagemba Ningthouja
Publicity Secretary