ST demand, right of everyone : STDCM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 05 2017:
Reacting to the opposition raised by All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) to the demand for inclusion of Meiteis/Meeteis in the ST list, Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) said ATSUM should welcome the demand with open arms and support it instead of opposing it
In a statement, STDCM said that a community, if it deems, has the right to apply to be included in the Constitution's ST list under Article 242(1) of Indian Constitution.
It is the Government which will decide whether Meitei/Meetei or any other community fulfils the criteria or not and it is not other community to decide it .
It is undeniable truth that Meitei/Meeteis share common origin and blood relation with those communities of Manipur who are already in the ST list, it said .
Although Meiteis/Meeteis merited to be included in the ST list when classification of people of India was done after the Constitution of India came into force in 1950 following Manipur's merger with India, the community was excluded from the ST list.
Since the community was left out in the ST list then, it is now demanding to be included in the list .
Hill brothers, particularly the intellectuals, are very much aware about the fact that Meiteis/Meeteis merited to be included in the ST, STDCM said .
No rights of other communities will be infringed upon with the inclusion of Meiteis/Meeteis in the ST list.
There is no hidden agenda in the demand for inclusion of Meiteis in the ST list.
It is about giving Constitutional safeguard to Meiteis/Meeteis, an indigenous community, by including them in the ST list, it pointed out .
The whole of Manipur will be protected by the Constitution .
STDCM is of the firm conviction that not only Manipur's integrity will be protected, but the fraternal bond and cohesiveness among the communities will be strengthened by enjoying the same provisions under the Constitution .
As such, ATSUM should welcome with open arms and support the demand instead of opposing it.
No community, who already are in the ST list, should oppose a demand of Constitutional rights pursued by another community, it said .
STDCM and Meitei populace hope that ATSUM's advisers, parent bodies and intellectuals from the hills would guide the students' body to the right path .
Indigenous communities of Manipur coexisted since time immemorial, the people still coexist and will continue so in the future, it said .
All concerned should not forget that hill brethren will gain nothing if indigenous Meiteis/Meeteis, who are without Constitutional safeguard, are extinct from Manipur.
As such, STDCM appealed to all concerned not to oppose the political movement aimed at peaceful coexistence.