ST tag for Meiteis receive another push
Reconsider stand : WAMA to ATSUM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 23 2023:
The All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has been urged to reconsider its stand on the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category demand for Meitei/Meetei.
Wakhallon Mannaba Apunba (WAMA), Kanglei-pak, in a statement issued yesterday said ATSUM's strong opposition to the Meitei/Meetei's ST demand is unfortunate.
It said ATSUM, during a meeting held at its office at Adimjati complex, had asserted that Meitei/Meetei getting the Scheduled Tribe tag would be a "loss" for the people of the hills.
However, the student body didn't clearly state why and how Meitei/Meetei getting ST tag would be a loss to the people of the hills who are already recognised as Scheduled Tribes, it said.
Urging ATSUM to clearly state the reasons for opposing the popular demand of the Meitei/Meetei, WAMA said it would be wrong of the student body to claim and conclude that the Meitei/Meetei are more developed and advanced than the people of the hills and as such the community shouldn't get ST tag.
It said the hills too have many eminent personalities in all fields including sports and education.
Meitei/Meetei getting the ST tag will not be a loss for anybody.
There can be healthy and constructive competitions.
But, one must not pull the other down, WAMA said, urging ATSUM and all communities to encourage one another in all good things.
WAMA also reiterated that it backs the STDCM in all its movements for getting the ST tag for the Meitei community.