Meetei Students' Association, endorses ST demand for Meitei
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 04 2021:
The Meetei Students' Association, Manipur University has urged the State Government to send the necessary recommendation for the inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe list to the Centre.
The Meetei Students' Association, in a press release not only reiterated its stand to endorse the movement which is seeking a provision to ensure Constitutional protection to Meetei/Meetei but also called on fellow communities not to misunderstand it.
Expressing regret on the short sightedness of the past leaders, the association stated that the demand is very meaningful as it will enable the Meitei/Meetei community to effectively preserve its language, social outlook, culture and traditions.
Since the day Manipur merged with India, Meitei/Meetei has existed as a minority community with a meagre population of 14-15 lakhs in the country, it said and added that Meetei/Meitei is subjected to cultural, traditional and demographic influence from mainland India.
If the call for inclusion of the community in the ST list is not pursued when there is time, it is imminent that the community becomes a minority in their own land, the association said.
Many intellectuals and right thinking personalities have been extending unwavering support to the movement, the association acknowledged while urging sections of the society who have been hindering the democratic approaches to immediately refrain from exposing senseless thoughts.
Asserting that respect and mutual support are very much needed for communities to dwell together peacefully and harmoniously, the association maintained that tranquillity among the indigenous communities residing in hills and valley will be disturbed if one community carries forward its own selfish agenda while disregarding that of others.
Saying that the movement is a matter of survival for the Meetei/Meitei, the association asked why ATSUM is opposing the movement.
Maintaining that the underlying idea of the movement is to ensure equitable status and rights among all communities sharing similar looks and food habits, the association also called on all sections of the Meitei/Meetei community to come forward and support the movement.