Thadou identity suppressed by Kuki supremacists: Lamjathang
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 29 2024:
BJP Manipur Pradesh spokesperson Michael Lamjathang Haokip has alleged that the identity and cultural distinctiveness of the Thadou tribe have been systematically suppressed by Kuki supremacists over the years.
In a detailed interview with News9 Live, he expressed deep concern over the deliberate efforts to erase Thadou identity, emphasising that these actions have long been a source of tension and conflict within the state.
Michael Lamjathang emphasised that the Thadou tribe, a recognised Scheduled Tribe in India, has been incorrectly associated with the Kuki community due to historical misclassifications and the influence of Kuki supremacists.
He described the issue as a direct challenge to the unity and integrity of Manipur, while expressing strong intentions to take legal action against those responsible for perpetuating these misunderstandings.
He underscored that Manipur, often described as a microcosm of India due to its diverse ethnic makeup, has 29 officially recognised tribes, as outlined in the Scheduled Tribes Order of 1956 .
The classification of these tribes was based on linguistic and cultural distinctiveness, as mandated by Article 342 of the Indian Constitution.
He explained that the Thadou tribe has been independently recognised due to its unique language, customs, attire, and cultural practices, which are not shared with any other tribe in Manipur.
However, despite this recognition, Michael Lamjathang noted that the Thadou people have often been misidentified as Kukis, a misconception that has caused significant issues for the community.
He attributed this to a lack of awareness about the distinct identities of the tribes in Manipur among the general population, as well as deliberate attempts by Kuki supremacists to subsume the Thadou identity under the broader Kuki label.
He cited several historical examples to illustrate this point, including the renaming of the Thadou Students' Association to the Kuki Students' Organisation in 1963, and the forced renaming of the Thadou Bible to the Kuki Bible in 1971 .
He also mentioned the renaming of the Thadou language in the Modern Indian Languages (MIL) subject to Thadou-Kuki in 1987 and the alteration of the All India Radio, Thadou programme to the Kuki programme in the 1990s.According to him, these actions have undermined the distinctiveness of the Thadou identity and contributed to the marginalisation of the community within both the Kuki and Meetei groups.
He criticised the Kuki supremacists for using militancy and other means to suppress the Thadou identity and for taking advantage of the ongoing conflicts in Manipur to further their agenda.
Lamjathang also noted that many Thadou organisations have been forced to operate outside of areas dominated by Kuki groups, such as Kangpokpi, Chandel, and Churachandpur, due to the hostility they face.
He expressed optimism about the efforts of the current government led by chief minister N Biren, who has taken steps to promote the unique Cultural heritage of each tribe in Manipur and praised the construction of tribal museums and the establishment of the Sangai Ethnic Park in Moirang, as initiatives that recognise and celebrate the diversity of the state.
However, Lamjathang emphasised that more needs to be done to ensure that the distinct identities of all tribes, including the Thadou, are respected and preserved.
Reflecting on the broader political and social dynamics in Manipur, he acknowledged that the opinions within the Thadou community are divided regarding the current crisis along with noting that while some groups, such as the Thadou Students' Association and Thadou Community International, remain hopeful for peace and stability, others are frustrated by the perceived lack of recognition and respect for their identity.
He argued that the Thadou people have been the worst victims of the ongoing conflicts and called for greater understanding and solidarity among all communities in Manipur.
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