Thadou Convention 2024 : Concluding Day Report
- November 2, 2024 :: Thadou Community International -

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Thadou Convention 2024 at Guwahati from November 1-2, 2024

Thadou Convention 2024 held; asserts Thadou distinct identity; Thadou is not Kuki, Thadou bodies formed

Thadou Convention 2024, jointly organised by Thadou Community International (TCI) & Thadou Students’ Association (TSA), was successfully held at Guwahati from November 1-2, 2024. The convention, participated by Thadou leaders and delegates from different parts of the country and the world, representing the voice and interest of the Thadou community, reaffirms our collective identity and resolve to preserve and protect our God-given distinct Thadou identity and unique heritage.

The first day was graced by Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) President, Pu H. Lalthianghlima and the 2nd day by Manipur HAC Chairman, Pu Dinganglung Gangmei MLA.

The 2-day convention with the theme ‘Unyielding Furtherance’ adopted 10-point declaration, the main ones being that Thadou is a distinct ethnic group of people, that Thadou is not Kuki, or underneath Kuki, or part of Kuki, but a separate, independent entity from Kuki, and that any organisation that incorporates “Thadou” but espouses Kuki and mis-portrays Thadou as Kuki is illegitimate and does not represent Thadou people and interest.

The convention rejects and condemns all colonial and post-colonial connotations and writings that gave rise to misidentification of Thadou as Kuki and continued imposition of Kuki on Thadou. The convention demands posthaste removal of the fake Kuki tribe (Any Kuki Tribes/AKT) - designed for any people from anywhere in the world - that came into being fraudulently in 2003 for political reasons.

Removal of AKT (Any Kuki Tribes) from Scheduled Tribes list is in the larger interest of the Indian nation and of the Indigenous/Native tribes and people, and this will do great justice and right the wrong, and is critical to solving or preventing related problems now and in the future.

The convention calls upon all, including government authorities, media, civil societies, academics, other communities and international organisations, to correctly and respectfully identify Thadou as Thadou, with no prefix or suffix, to stop imposition of Kuki or referring to Thadous as Kuki, and to make needed rectifications.

It also denounces and condemns outright all forms of cultural appropriation, theft and misrepresentation of Thadou language, cultural attires, dances, literature, history as Kuki. Kuki is not the name of a tribe, language or specific group of people and has no cultural attire or dance.

The convention also rejects and condemns the historical and ongoing escalating Kuki supremacy and Kuki supremacist agenda, policies, human rights violation, all kinds of anti-Thadou propaganda, disinformation, indoctrination, hate speech, violence and organised annihilation campaigns and crimes perpetrated against Thadou since the 1970s by Kuki supremacist individuals and groups, including Kuki armed militant groups, politicians and Kuki civil society organisations.

Thadou Convention 2024 at Guwahati from November 1-2, 2024

Another significant feature of the convention was the formation and election of Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) with James Thadou as the president and Michael Lamjathang Haokip as general secretary and several others as executive members, Thadou Inpi Mizoram, Thadou Inpi Karbi Anglong & Dima Hasao in Assam during separate conferences for Manipur, Mizoram, Assam at the convention.

The convention also formed Thadou Chiefs’ Council (TCC) led by Lhunkholet Haokip, Thadou Academic Society led by Ngahpi Lhouvum, Thadou Elders’ Association (Upalom) led by SH Seipu, Thadou Human Rights Advocacy with Dr M. Paosei Haokip as its Convenor and NETSEDS with Mangchungnung Lhouvum as its Convenor. It was also resolved to place a demand for recognition of Thadou tribe as a separate, distinct scheduled tribe in the states of Assam, Mizoram and Nagaland.

The convention encourages and implores Thadou community across the globe to be united and to remain steadfast and resilient in our quest for humanity, respect, freedom/liberation, justice, equality, development, and we extend our hands for peaceful, respectful living with all communities as we assert our rights to our identity, self-determination and political aspirations as a people. The convention calls for peace in Manipur, hoping for a future defined by peace, justice, non-violent resolutions, and respect for each other’s rights.

The historic declaration and resolutions of the convention, in response to the long-standing profound need and popular demand of Thadou people and in fulfilment of the principles, vision, aim and object of our forefathers and of the Thadou Conclave Declaration - 2015 and Thadou Inpi Constitution, reaffirms our unwavering commitment to preserving and protecting Thadou heritage and unity, and to secure the best interests and aspirations of Thadou people, now and the future.

Thadou Convention 2024 at Guwahati from November 1-2, 2024

Issued by:
Thadou Community International