TSA objects wrong misrepresentation of cultural dance
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 05 2025: The Thadou Students' Association (TSA) has expressed strong objection to misrepresentation of "Thadou cultural dance" as "Kuki cultural dance" in programmes being prepared for a likely visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Churachandpur on September 13 .

"It has come to our notice that certain cultural programmes are being labelled as "Kuki Cultural Dance" .

This is factually incorrect and misleading.

There is no "Kuki Cultural Dance" .

What is being showcased is the Thadou Cultural Dance, the traditional heritage of the Thadou people," said the TSA in a statement.

"Kuki" is not an ethnic identity but a political ideology, often linked to separatist groups that are anti-Manipur, anti-peace, and have historically suppressed the Thadou community.

Associating Thadou cultural expressions with this ideology amounts to cultural genocide, asserted the TSA .

It said the Thadou community cannot accept the upcoming VVIP visit being used as a platform to legitimise the erasure of Thadou culture.

The misrepresentation of the Thadou cultural dance must be immediately rectified, and Thadou identity must be recognised in all official records and public programmes, said the TSA .

Citing persecution of the Thadou community by Kukis, TSA said, the assassination of Nehkam Jomhao by SoO signatory Kuki militants in Manja, Assam remains unaddressed, and was part of the ongoing "genocide" by the Kuki supremacists.

According to the Census of India 2011, Thadou is the largest Scheduled Tribe in Churachandpur district, constituting 23.74% of the ST population.

By contrast, "Any Kuki Tribes" account for only 4.84% .

This data proves that Thadou is an ethnic identity, while "Kuki" is a political label, asserted the TSA.

The presence of 16-armed Kuki militant groups under the SoO-signatory KNO conglomerate in Churachandpur, and their continued legitimisation through extension of the SoO Agreement by the Government, has suppressed the Thadou indigenous identity.

Such legitimisation of non-indigenous militants threatens not only the Thadou but also the broader fabric of India's indigenous peoples, said the TSA .

"The Thadou people stand for peace, justice, and democratic recognition, but will resist all attempts to erase our heritage under ideological labels," said the TSA .

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