Why Meiteis want Schedule Tribe Status under the Indian Constitution
- Part 3 -

Dr. Khomdon Singh Lisam *

CA scene from the Laiharaoba's Tangkhul Saba and a Nurabi at Wangoo Tampha Lairembi in may 2011 :: Pix - HL

Possible grudges against the Meiteis by the existing Schedule Tribe population of Manipur .

1. The hill people were treated as untouchables by the Meiteis.

The newly converted Hindu Meiteis under the influence of Mayang Gurus had practiced this during the 18th to first half of twentieth century. With the conversion to Hinduism, the Mayang Gurus had inculcated the idea of caste system to the Meitei Hindus. Those who refused to accept Hindusim even among the Meiteis were treated as untouchables. This happened at a time when slavery and caste system was practiced all over the world. However, the problem was much more serious in the rest of India in those days as compared with that of Manipur. This was a dark spot in the history of Manipur.

2. The hill people were oppressed by the Meiteis

The oppression happened during the days of the kings. Both the hill people and Meiteis who refused to accept Hindusim were tortured and oppressed. Garib Niwaz tortured and punished those who disobeyed conversion into Hinduism with death penalty to many people including eminent Meiteis. Maharaja Churachand implemented the "Mangba –Sengba" culture which was the root cause of division between the Meiteis and the hill people and even among the Meiteis. During 1913-1941, many hill tribes came to the Manipur palace with a request to allow them to convert to Meitei Hindu .

But they were required to pay Rs. eighty four , three sikees , one anna and six pai as a tax to the Maharaja , which was a lot of money for the common people in those days. Thus this Mangba –Sengba culture was a cause of irritation to both the Meiteis and hill people . It was not only the hill people who suffered but also the Meiteis at the hands of the Maharaja. This was a black spot in the history of Manipur.

3. The Meiteis looked down the hill people as tribal

In olden days , meat and wine were taboo to the Meitei Hindus. Rearing of chickens, dogs and pigs were strictly forbidden . Meiteis considered these things as dirty . But the hill people were eating meat including pig and drinking rice beer . Further the economic condition of most of the hill people in those days were not good . Many of them came to the valley in search of work for earning money. Meiteis used to look down anybody including Meiteis who indulged in such food habits and practiced these trades.

4. The development schemes were confined to valley and the hill people are deprived of their share .

This allegation is not correct . There is a separate department to look after the affaires of tribals in Manipur. There is a separate tribal minister and tribal director in charge of these affaires for last so many decades overseeing the allocation and use of funds for hill areas in Manipur. There is a strong monitoring mechanism to monitor allocation and use of in hill areas in Manipur . The Governor of Manipur is submitting a regular report direct to the President of India at regular intervals regarding use of funds for hill areas.

Blaming the Meiteis for all the ills of tribals is a quick way to gain popularity and win votes at the time of election. No tribal politician got elected without blaming the Meiteis . This is a political gimmick. Rich and influential tribal are the big exploiters of other poor and innocent tribals.

Possible fears of the existing Schedule Tribe population of Manipur .

The main fear of the existing tribals in Manipur is that by becoming Scheduled Tribes, the Meiteis are going to grasp the reservation quota of tribals in education and employment at All India level and state level under Article 335 of Indian Constitution. This is not true. The existing tribals of Manipur will continue to get their due share proportionate to their population size. Reservation quota for Meiteis is not the main agenda for the demand of inclusion of Meiteis in the Schedule Tribe list under the Indian Constitution.

What is the criteria for being a Schedule Tribe ?

Under Article 342(1), "the President may with respect to any State or Union territory, and where it is a State, after consultation with the Governor thereof, by public notification, specify the tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within tribes or tribal communities which shall for the purposes of this Constitution be deemed to be Scheduled Tribes in relation to that State or Union territory, as the case may be"

Under Article 342(2) of Indian Constitution, the "Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Tribes specified in a notification issued under clause (1) any tribe or tribal community or part of or group within any tribe or tribal community, but save as aforesaid a notification issued under the said clause shall not be varied by any subsequent notification."

Do Meiteis fulfil the basic criteria or characteristics of Scheduled Tribe

The Meitei belongs to the Mongoloid race and the first settlers of the country . They still believed in animism and partially Hindunised. They are microscopic minority in India –being 0.06% of India's population. The mainland Indians do not believe that the Meiteis are Hindus and belonged to General category.

Conclusion

Whatever done can not be undone . The conversion to Hinduism , Christianity can not be undone. Manipur can not exists without Nagas and without Kukis or without Meiteis. We are one people . We need to stand united and strong . We need to ensure solidarity and unity among Nagas, Kukis and Meiteis. Then how can we ensure the solidarity and unity among Nagas, Kukis and Meiteis .

Is it not our collective responsibility of all the ethnic groups in Manipur to do something to ensure equality, solidarity and unity of all the ethnic groups in Manipur and bring about lasting peace, prosperity and development of Manipur. All of us should jointly demand inclusion of Meiteis under the Schedule Tribe category under the Indian Constitution to restore equality, solidarity, unity among all ethnic groups in Manipur and bring about lasting peace , prosperity and development of Manipur.

Concluded ...