Include Meeteis in ST list by 2025: WMC
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 29 2024: World Meetei Council (WMC) member Ahongshangbam Dhiren has urged authority concerned to include Meeteis in the ST list of the Constitution of India by 2025.In a release, WMC said Dhiren pointed out that the Meetei community, identified as a tribe in the census from 1891 to 1941, has been without any constitutional safeguards since 1951 largely due to the mistaken belief of some Meeteis who consider themselves Aryans and part of a dominant group, which has held back the community in various aspects.

While many Hindu groups in different parts of India have received Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and availing constitutional protections, Meeteis, despite their glaringly underdeveloped economy and a population of only around 15 lakhs, remain excluded from the ST list.

The failure lies with state leaders who prioritise political power over foresight and the community 's welfare, Dhiren said in his speech at the valedictory function of the 1st State Level Junior Boys Volleyball Tournament, 2024, held Sunday.

He maintained that with exception of the Meetei community, many other communities of the north eastern states who have been included in the ST list of the Indian Constitution, have developed considerably and are competing with major communities of mainland India.

Dhiren also highlighted that the Meetei population, which constituted 60 percent of the total population as per the 1971 census, has slumped to 44 percent according to the 2011 census records.

He emphasised that the authorities must carefully consider such grave situation and include the Meeteis in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list by 2025 to protect the community.

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