The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) has reiterated its call for the Meitei community to be granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, emphasizing that this should be achieved without violence. This demand comes amid rising tensions in the state, where ethnic conflicts have recently escalated.
During a press conference, STDCM officials, led by President Dhiraj Yumnam, outlined the reasons for their demand, asserting that the Meitei community meets the criteria for ST classification. They argue that the lack of this status is contributing to their community’s decline as they feel increasingly marginalized in their own homeland due to an influx of immigrants from neighboring countries.
Historically, the Meitei community has been excluded from the ST list, a decision they believe was based on outdated criteria that unfairly categorized them. The STDCM points out that since the 1951 Census, the Meitei population in Manipur has significantly decreased, dropping from approximately 59% to around 44% by the 2011 Census. This demographic shift has raised concerns among community leaders, who fear that without constitutional safeguards, the Meiteis will be further diminished as the state faces increasing pressures from immigration.
In an effort to advance their cause, the STDCM has submitted memorandums to multiple members of parliament and the state legislature, urging them to support their bid for ST recognition. They also advocate for an ethnographic survey to document the socio-economic conditions of the Meitei people, which they believe would bolster their case.
The STDCM insists that the decision to grant ST status should rest solely with Parliament and the state government, rather than the judiciary, as it falls outside the courts’ jurisdiction. They have urged the state government to expedite recommendations to the central government, citing the need for constitutional protection of their community.
However, the demand for ST status has faced opposition from tribal organizations in Manipur. Many tribal leaders fear that granting ST status to the Meiteis would undermine their own rights and access to reservations in education and employment. The apprehension stems from concerns that the Meiteis would dominate these opportunities, as they already hold significant socio-political advantages.
The situation remains complex, with calls for dialogue and compromise necessary to address the fears of all communities involved. Observers note that while the Meitei community seeks recognition, the tribal groups emphasize the need for protection of their existing rights and resources.
As the STDCM continues its advocacy, the future of the Meitei community’s demand for ST status hangs in the balance, contingent upon the responses from both state and central authorities amidst ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur.
