ST for Meiteis call unjustified : ATSUM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 21 2023:
The All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has said that the directive given by the High Court of Manipur to send the recommendations for enlistment of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list is an ex parte judgment.
ATSUM, in a statement, asserted that April 19 is a black letter day for the tribal people of Manipur 'as the judgment of the Court contradicts the wish and aspiration of the tribal people' .
"It is an ex parte judgement that only heard the interests of the petitioners," it said and added that they will explore all options including legal means to dissuade the State Government from sending the recommendations to the Central Government, According to the ATSUM, the demand of ST status by the socially and economically advanced community of the State is uncalled for.
The ATSUM also said that the judgment "deeply disturbs" the sense of security of the tribal people who are otherwise protected under the provisions of the Constitution.
Saying that the tribal community has been opposing 'this demand' as the Meitei community is comparatively an advanced community, ATSUM said that the Court's directive "completely negates" the very objective of scheduling groups of people for 'protective discrimination' as ST in the Constitution.
Saying that the tribal people of the State will not 'take this judgment lying down,' the ATSUM said, "We blame the State Government because of whose consent such an ex-parte judgment" was delivered.
ATSUM will explore all options including legal means to dissuade the State Government from sending the recommendations to the Central Government, it said and added they will continue to oppose the demand.
The tribal student body then said that the State Government must desist from recommending this demand "as it completely affects the rights and interests of the tribal people, and also as the demand has the potential of adversely affecting the unity and integrity of the people" .
ATSUM then appealed to the State Government to uphold the emotional integrity of the State "which is bound to disintegrate once the demand for inclusion of Meitei in ST is granted" .
The meeting of the tribal students' organisations convened by ATSUM today acknowledged the prompt action of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) 'for taking into account the sentiments, rights and interest of the STs of Manipur' .