Debate over demand on ST status for Meiteis Public meet questions ST tag demand
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 16 2016:
A public convention today at Patsoi Part II Makha Leikai has questioned the rationale of demanding ST status for Meiteis as well as the possibility of achieving the same demand.
Addressing the convention, Protection and Preservation Committee (PPCM) convenor Dr Y Mani Khuman said that PPCM would like to discuss with all the people whether it would be right or wrong for Meiteis to step down to the status of a Scheduled Tribe for some material benefits after forsaking all the respects and dignity enjoyed by Meiteis at the National and international levels.
PPCM has been already organising a series of public conventions to seek public opinions on the issue of ST status.
Demanding ST status for greater job opportunities and other material benefits is a manifestation of myopic outlook.
Many people have made it clear that the demand for enlistment of Meiteis in ST category has no solid foundation, Dr Mani asserted.
The demand would turn out to be driving wedges among different communities of the State and it has all the potential to breed inter-community conflicts.
Manipur College Assistant Professor L Gojen stated that there are no plausible reasons for inclusion of Meiteis in ST category if one studies the socio-economic conditions of Meiteis.
Attempt to convert Meiteis into ST forcibly would be nothing but self-deception.
Attempts to link the demand for ST status with the demand for ILPS sound rather absurd.
No one who knows the history of Manipur thoroughly would ever demand ST status for Meiteis, Gojen said.
Modern College Assistant Professor H Indrakumar asked all concerned to explain why Meiteis should demand ST status.