STDCM espouses ST tag campaign
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 10 2016:
The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) has categorically stated that enlistment of Meetei/Meitei in the ST category would help in forging unity not only within Manipur but also the North East region.
A statement issued by the STDCM asserted that it is not time for the State Government to remain mute to the issue of categorising Meetei/Meitei as an ST under Article 342(1) of the Indian Constitution.
The Government needs to study the issue with all its expertise and tools.
While welcoming all constructive suggestions on the issue, the STDCM sought ideological as well as physical assistance from the general public.
People may post their suggestions to [email protected] or www.facebook.com/coordinatingbody on Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee or communicate directly at their Uripok Dewan Leikai head office.
Financial donations may be made to the STDCM's finance sub-committee or to its United Bank of India (RIMS Branch) account no.0652011105108 .
It would be inappropriate in the contemporary 21st century to segregate different communities of the North East region as superior or inferior.
In the same vein, Meiteis cannot claim themselves superior to hill people.
Such notion would prove to be a big hindrance while exploring for an effective remedy to the many ailments plaguing the whole of Manipur.
The campaign to enlist Meetei/Meitei as an ST has no intention to sap their spirit and valour.
Just because one community has been enlisted as an ST, one cannot simply call them a dispirited lot.
Ideologically it sounds quite rational that all the socio-political and economic problems besetting Manipur are outcomes of Manipur's merger with India and its only solution lies in restoring the sovereignty of Manipur.
But one needs to look at the present reality beyond this ideological understanding.
The demand for ILPS is driven by the lurking threat of possible decimation of the Meiteis in the vast ocean of Indian people whose total population is over 126 crore as against the Meiteis' total population of just around 10 lakh.
The same logic is applicable to the demand for enlistment of Meitei/Meetei in ST category.
The same campaign would prove to be a significant step towards transforming hill-valley brotherhood into reality by way of bringing the Meeteis and tribes on a common platform.
On the other hand, no tribes of Manipur would welcome any suggestion to give up their ST status and join Meiteis who are without any Constitutional safeguard in order to take on Indian people collectively.
The campaign for enlistment of Meetei/Meitei in the ST category is based on the socio-political reality of Manipur and the entire North East region.
Political rhetoric is one thing and socio-political reality is a totally different matter, STDCM asserted.