Why is the Meitei community seeking Scheduled Tribe status?
The Meitei community, represented by the Scheduled Tribes Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM), has been advocating for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status since 2012. They seek constitutional protection to preserve their unique culture, language, and identity. The Meitei argue that they were recognized as a tribe before Manipur's merger with India in 1949 but lost their distinct identity after the merger. They feel marginalized without any constitutional safeguards due to their exclusion from the list of Scheduled Tribes.
The decline in their population from 59% in 1951 to 44% in 2011, according to STDCM, has further fueled their concern about being gradually marginalized on their ancestral land. They believe that obtaining ST status would help safeguard their ancestral land, traditions, culture, language, and protect them from outside influences.
The Inclusion Process for the ST list:
Inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribes follows a specific procedure established in 1999.
The concerned state or union territory government initiates the proposal for inclusion, which then goes to the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs and subsequently to the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI).
If the ORGI approves the inclusion, the proposal is sent to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, and if they agree, the proposal is sent to the Cabinet for an amendment to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.
As of September 2022, certain communities like Binjia in Chhattisgarh, Narikoravan and Kurivikaran in Tamil Nadu, 'Betta-kuruba' in Karnataka, Hatti from Himachal Pradesh, and Gond Community in Uttar Pradesh were approved for inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribes.
Opposition to Meitei's ST Status Demand:
Meiteis already in majority: One of the primary concerns of the opposition is that the Meitei community already holds a dominant position in terms of population and political representation, mainly residing in the valley where most assembly constituencies are located.
Other Scheduled Tribe communities fear that granting ST status to the Meiteis could lead to a competition for job opportunities and other benefits.
Meitei culture is recognized: The Meitei language is already included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, and certain sections of the Meitei community are classified under Scheduled Castes (SC) or Other Backward Classes (OBCs), allowing them access to specific opportunities.
Political Influence: Some opponents believe that the demand for Scheduled Tribe status is a way for the dominant Meitei community in the valley to gain political influence and control over the hilly areas of the state. They view it as an attempt to divert attention from the political demands of other tribal groups like the Kukis and Nagas.
The Kukis: An Ethnic Group with a History of Conflict and Recent Eviction Concerns
The Kukis, an ethnic group comprising several tribes, have historically inhabited various regions, including the northeastern states of Manipur, Mizoram, and Assam, as well as parts of Burma (now Myanmar), Sylhet district, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh.
Throughout history, the Kukis and Nagas have been involved in violent confrontations as they vied for control over trade and cultural activities in these areas. This rivalry has led to alarming incidents like the burning of villages, attacks on civilians, and other such violent standoffs.
In more recent times, a significant concern emerged with the state government's warnings in August 2022. The government identified 38 villages in the Churachandpur-Khaupum protected forest area as "illegal settlements" and the residents as "encroachers." Subsequently, the government initiated an eviction drive, which escalated tensions and resulted in clashes.
The Kuki groups raised objections, asserting that the surveys and evictions violate Article 371C, which is intended to grant administrative autonomy to the tribal-dominated hill areas of Manipur.
These eviction concerns, along with the historical conflicts, have contributed to the unrest in the region, requiring careful attention and resolution.
Ethnic Diversity in Manipur:
The Meitei community constitutes the largest group in Manipur, alongside 34 recognized tribes, predominantly categorized as 'Ani Kuki Tribes' and 'Ani Naga Tribes'.
The Meitei and Meitei Pangal together account for approximately 64.6% of the state's population and primarily reside in the Imphal Valley, which covers about 10% of Manipur's land area.
The remaining 90% of the state's geographical expanse comprises hilly regions surrounding the valley, where the identified tribes reside, making up around 35.4% of the state's population.
Apart from the Meitei and other tribes, there are 33 recognized tribes, with a majority of them being Christians, classified as 'Other Naga Tribes' and 'Other Kuki Tribes'.
Key Points about the Meitei Community:
The Meitei people are often referred to as Manipuri people.Their primary language is Meitei, also known as Manipuri, which is the official language of Manipur.
While the majority of the Meitei population resides in the Imphal Valley, a significant number also live in other Indian states, such as Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.
Additionally, a considerable Meitei diaspora can be found in neighboring countries such as Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Within the Meitei community, there is a division into gotras, and members of the same gotra do not marry each other as per their customs.
Special Provisions under Article 371:
Article 371 of the Constitution encompasses "special provisions" for eleven states, including six states in the Northeast, excluding Tripura and Meghalaya.
Articles 369-392, found in Part XXI of the Constitution, are titled 'Temporary, Transitional, and Special Provisions'.
Article 370 pertains to the 'temporary provisions with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir'. Among these provisions, Articles 371 and 371A-371J define special provisions concerning various states.
However, Article 371I deals with Goa without including any provisions that can be considered 'special'.
