STDCM defends campaign for ST tag
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 03 2016: Taking serious note of the many criticisms which have come from different quarters, the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) has categorically stated that the campaign to get the Meitei/Meetei enlisted as a Scheduled Tribe under Article 342(1) of the Indian Constitution is aimed at fostering equality among different communities and consolidate the integrity of Manipur.

While welcoming opinions and suggestions made by different organisations and the general public on the ongoing campaign, the STDCM lamented that strong-worded comments made by some responsible organisations tend to project the campaign in the wrong light.

There may be differences of opinions on the issue and this is only natural, remarked a statement issued by the STDCM.

The comment that the campaign to enlist Meitei/Meetei as an ST is an attempt to ignite bloodshed among indigenous communities of Manipur is nothing but a prejudiced notion driven by lack of thorough understanding of the whole issue.

The campaign to categorise Meetei/Meitei as an ST is not only about protection of Meitei/Meetei identity, land, language and culture but it is also a question of survival for the Meitei/Meetei community.

Meetei/Meitei, being a larger community comparatively, would not give up the responsibility of acting as mediators or consolidators even after they are listed as an ST.

Any sort of settlement brought with any other community when Meetei/Meitei harbours the notion of being a superior race will not last long.

It is a firm belief of the STDCM that settlement of any issue or contradiction among different communities would be more fruitful if there is equality in the society.

It is the wish of the STDCM for all the people to study the issue and express their opinions freely.

The campaign is not directed against any other community of the land and it would not impinge upon interests of other communities/organisations.

Moreover, the campaign is not tinged with any intention to obscure or derail any other campaign or issue.

The campaign does not infringe upon the popular demand for enactment of ILPS or a similar mechanism.

Both the campaigns are aimed at protecting indigenous peoples of the land and the committee has been supporting the ILPS movement.

Although Manipur was an sovereign kingdom, it was reduced to the status of a tiny State after its merger with the Indian Union in 1949.In accordance with the Indian Constitution, Manipur people were categorised into three groups namely ST, SC and General.

There is a growing need to dismantle these artificial walls of division and bring about social equality among the indigenous people of the land and one most plausible path to bring such an equality is enlistment of Meetei/Meitei in ST category.

Until and unless Meetei/Meitei changes their attitude of being superior, social equality can never be achieved.

All the internal issues of Manipur should be resolved among the indigenous communities of the land but no resolutions can be achieved as long as there is social segregation among the communities.

Enlistment of Meetei/Meitei in ST category does not entail forfeiture of the rights and opportunities of other ST communities.

As seen in neighbouring Assam and Nagaland, different communities would be entitled to their own shares of benefits and opportunities.

Likewise, there is no question of scrambling for opportunities and benefits among SC communities of Sekmai, Andro etc with other communities already enlisted in SC category.

Meetei/Meitei were listed as tribe in the census and gazette notifications of British India and this was not a personal opinion of some writers.

There is no rule which says that only the highlanders should be enlisted as ST.

There hundreds of communities across the plains of India who are categorised as ST.

But the plain area of Manipur is only a small valley located in the midst of high hills, several hundred metres above mean sea level.

There is no wrong in saying that Manipur is a hill State and this is supported by the State's geography.

At the same time, there would not be any degradation in the social status of Meetei/Meitei when they are enlisted as ST.

Meetei/Meitei are economically backward and Manipur is listed among the five poorest States of India.

Enlistment of Meetei/Meitei in ST category would provide greater job opportunities, reduce income tax burden and facilitate recruitment of more Meetei/Meitei into different civil services including IAS.

But these are not the ultimate objectives of the STDCM.

The ultimate objectives lie in unification of hill people and plain people, establishment of an egalitarian society and laying the foundation stone of a progressive Manipur, asserted the STDCM.

Many of the critical issues witnessed in contemporary Manipur had their roots in some short-sighted, autocratic and unqualified kings.

Meetei/Meitei are indigenous people of Manipur and they are a tribe although they are not listed in the ST category.

Any individual/organisation who wish to discuss about the issue may contact STDCM or come to their office at Uripok Haobam Dewan Leikai, it added.

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