Condemns defamation campaigns, affirms commitment to protect Thadou Identity
- 24th August 2024 : Thadou Community International (TCI) -

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1. The Thadou Community International (TCI) condemns the actions of anti-Thadou individuals and groups under the guise of the fake Thadou Tribe Council (TTC) for spreading hate speech and disinformation against the Thadou tribe and its leaders. These efforts, marked by personal attacks and defamation, aim to undermine the Thadou community. While TCI welcomes constructive criticism, we reject and will not engage in personal attacks or defamation, as such behaviour is harmful and unproductive for the community.

2. The allegation that TCI is supporting, and in touch with, Manipur chief minister, N. Biren Singh, is baseless and unfounded. Those who make such allegations must come up with evidence to substantiate their allegation. We would like to clarify that TCI is an apolitical organization that has no political motive or connection with any politician or political parties, but purely for the interest of Thadou people. If calling for peace links us to the chief minister, does that mean our accusers prefer violence for selfish political gain and personal benefits at the expense of innocent lives?

3. Instead of making baseless allegations, the 10 Zo tribal MLAs and civil society organizations advocating for a Separate Administration and the chief minister’s removal should be questioned for remaining active members of the Manipur State Assembly and supporting the state administration and being part of the government led by the chief minister N. Biren Singh.

4. TCI, formed by Thadous worldwide, including the USA, UK, Norway, India, Myanmar, Malaysia, Australia, SIngapore and more, reflects its international membership. Criticism of non-resident leaders is baseless and reveals the ignorance of the accusers.

5. In line with its motto and values, TCI urges peace, justice, and non-violent resolutions in Manipur, where the Thadous have been the most affected and largest innocent victims of the violence since May 3, 2023. The people of Manipur have endured enough conflict; it is time for peace and stability in Manipur. People of Manipur have experienced enough violent conflicts, and we don’t need any more violence.

6. We would like to emphasize our position that while we are part of the bigger Zo or Mizo family in India, Thadous must be called Thadou, without any prefix or suffix, and not with a mistaken or imposed name like Kuki.

7. The name of the dialect/language of Thadou tribe is Thadou without any prefix or suffix, and anything that portrays as otherwise due to political or some reasons is erroneous and should be corrected as only ‘Thadou’ as per the name of the tribe according to the 1956 Orders of the Indian parliament that recognised the original tribes of Manipur.

8. We denounce and warn against any form of cultural appropriation by anyone on any linguistic and cultural group, and the misrepresentation of Thadou as Kuki or being under, or part of, the 2003- born fake Kuki tribe.

9. We denounce the term Kuki-Zo as an attempt to impose the Kuki identity on those who do not identify as Kuki. We reject to be part of any entity that excludes the Thadou.

10. TCI is dedicated to protecting the distinct Thadou identity and will fight against any agenda threatening it. We are also committed to ending the suppression and rampant abuse of Thadou rights, especially by Kuki supremacists.

Issued by Thadou Community International