Delhi meet vows safeguard of Meetei rights, identity
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 16 2025: The Meetei People Convention, Delhi 2025, cum 2nd Rising Day of the Meeteis in Delhi, held on Sunday in South Delhi, resolved to protect and advance the rights and identity of the Meetei community across India and abroad.

Organised by the Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee (DMCC), the convention brought together Meeteis from various states including Manipur, Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, and Meghalaya, as well as from neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh and Myanmar.

According to a statement issued by DMCC, the convention featured two sessions with a broad thematic focus - first, on the present and future of Meeteis and second, on establishing a socio-cultural base in the national capital.

Delhi meet vows safeguard of Meetei rights, identity

The morning session was presided over by DMCC convenor Dr Seram Rojesh, and moderated by Prof Hijam Komol of Jawaharlal Nehru University.

The evening session, themed around the establishment of Meetei Yumpham in Delhi, was led by Meetei Yumpham Charitable Trust president Hijam Rajen Singha, and chaired by Dr Nongmaithem Manichandra of Aryabhatta College, University of Delhi.

Prominent guests included actor and social activist Hamom Sadananda, Dr Shantikumar from Assam, Prof RK Brojen Singh of JNU, as well as scholars, professionals, and students from across the country.

The convention culminated in the unanimous adoption of 10 resolutions on the cultural, legal, political, and economic concerns of the Meetei people.

The meet resolved for collective unity among Meeteis residing in India and abroad, pledging mutual support for the protection and development of their social, cultural, political, economic, and land rights.

The convention underlined the urgent need to safeguard traditional cultural practices such as "Thakshi-Khashi" and the age-old ritual and philosophical heritage of Lai Haraoba.

The delegates stressed the importance of upholding and transmitting these customs to younger generations to prevent cultural erosion.

A legal resolution called for formal protection of the Meeteis within the Indian constitutional framework.

With Meeteis comprising approximately 0.6 per cent of the Indian population, 0.5 per cent in Tripura and 0.4 per cent in Assam, the convention reiterated the long-standing demand for inclusion under the Scheduled Tribe category.

This movement, initiated in Tripura in 1969 and revived in the 1980s, was described as a legal necessity to protect the cultural and political identity of the Meetei minority, especially in other states.

Another resolution condemned deviations from the traditional Meetei family structure known as "Yumballon".

The practice of polygamy or polyandry was criticised as a cultural deformity that must be discouraged through active guidance by Sagei (clan) elders and local community heads.

The threat to Meetei lives and the integrity of Manipur since the violent events of May 3, 2025 also figured in the resolutions.

It was resolved that Meeteis across Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and other regions must unite to counteract what was described as a covert force termed "Churanthaba", accused of offering tactical and logistical support to anti-Meetei and anti Manipur forces.

On issues of land and forest rights, the convention demanded total implementation of the Manipur Hill Areas (Acquisition of Chiefs Rights) Act, 1967.This Act, enacted with presidential assent in June 1967, is viewed as vital for rationalising land ownership and protecting community rights in the hill areas of Manipur.

The political underrepresentation of Meeteis in Assam was another point of concern.

Despite a population of around three lakh, no Meetei MLA has been elected in recent decades.

The convention resolved to undertake community-lev-el political mobilisation and leadership development to ensure fair political participation.

A major initiative announced during the evening session was the proposed establishment of Meetei Yumpham in Delhi, a socio-cultural and ritual centre envisioned as a Unifying space for Meeteis across India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

To be constructed under the aegis of Meetei Yumpham Charitable Trust (Delhi-India) through public contribution, the centre is expected to be built by the end of 2025.For which, fundraising has officially begun, with community members confirming their contributions from the day of the convention.

Lastly, the convention resolved that every Meetei should voluntarily contribute at least one per cent of their monthly income to support community development, defence, and service through a community agency of their choice.

This symbolic gesture was described as a way of "paying back" to Meetei society and strengthening collective self-reliance, said the statement.