Former VC backs ST status for Meiteis
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 24 2018:
Claiming that Meiteis/Meeteis were tribes before Indian Constitution came into effect in the State, former Vice Chancellor of Manipur University Hijam Tombi opined that one should not oppose the community when they demand their previous status.
He was speaking to reporters at his Tera Yengkhom Leirak residence today in the 13th episode of the STDCM's campaign for seeking opinion from experts and eminent personalities regarding the demand for enlisting Meiteis/Meeteis in the ST category.
The former VC asserted that Meiteis/Meeteis have been categorized as general by the Constitution of India after its enforcement and observed that Meiteis/Meeteis accepted/agreed upon their enrolment in the general category withoutgivingmuchthoughttoitsimplications.
He said that the Meiteis/Meeteis took up the general category due to their ego and lack of knowledge about the Constitution.
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However, the form of Hinduism/Vaishnavism adopted by the Meiteis/Meeteis has been always a dubious matter as it is different from the common Hinduism which is followed in India and different parts of the world.
Meiteis/Meeteis do not refrain from worshipping Sanamahi till today and follow the same culture and traditions followed by their ancestors since time immemorial.
Tribal communities in the State and Meiteis/Meeteis are also said to share common genealogy as written in many books and literatures, he maintained.
Observing that Meiteis/Meeteis cannot unlock and make-use of their talents and potentials to the fullest extent when they compete with other communities due to lack of Constitutional support, Tombi opined that this kind of shortcomings can be addressed when the community is backed by a Constitutional provision under ST category.
He exuded confidence that inclusion of Meiteis/Meeteis will bring every indigenous community of the State to an equal status and ultimately bring them closer.
The difficulties faced by the Meiteis/Meeteis in seeking a Constitutional safeguard like ILP System for protection of their identities, cultures, land etc will all be sanctioned under Constitutional provision once the community is included in the ST category.
The community fulfils all the criteria needed for inclusion in the ST category and they still maintain all the characteristics and norms of a tribe till today.
They still have inferior complexity when they come out in the National and global arena although they are very talented.
Hence, the community must try to regain the tribal status under the Constitution and should be enlisted in the ST list, the former VC stated.
Stressing on the threat the community faces in the contemporary period, he said that the population of Meiteis/Meeteis has declined drastically from 65 per cent to just 48 per cent against the total State's population.
Influx of immigrants and non-native people is on the rise and they continue to swarm the Imphal valley which constitutes only around 9 per cent of the total geographical area of the State.
Therefore, the Meiteis/Meeteis will become minority after some years and their identity, cultures and they will be completely wiped out if the present trend continues.
On the other hand, it will be uncontrollable and impossible to overcome all these threats unless a safeguard like ST category is given to Meiteis/Meeteis, Tombi observed.
The episode was also attended by members of STDCM including its convenor Mutum Churamani, publicity chairman Thokchom Gopimohon and executive member Laishram Sanajaoba.