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Journalism of Courage
A Manipur High Court order on the demand for ST status for the state’s valley-dwelling Meitei people observed that no action had been taken by the government despite the multiple requests submitted by the community since 2013. The order triggered protests by tribal groups in the hill districts on May 3, and started a cycle of ethnic violence that has plunged the state into a deep crisis.
The demand for Scheduled Tribe status for Manipur’s dominant, mostly Vaishnava Meitei community has run alongside the demand for Inner Line Permit (ILP) — restricting the entry of outsiders into the state — which was first made in Parliament in 1980. The demand for ST status is more recent.
First demand, 2012
The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) was set up in November 2012. “We never went to court, because we understood that this is a matter for the government. But some of our colleagues got impatient and decided to approach the court,” STDCM general secretary Keithellakpam Bhogendrajit told The Indian Express.
When the Meitei Tribe Union (MTU) — which was formed last year — filed a writ petition in the HC in March 2023, numerous memorandums demanding ST status for Meiteis had already been submitted to both the state and Union governments.
The first of these memorandums was submitted by STDCM to then Governor of Manipur Gurbachan Singh Jagat in November 2012. The following month, the committee submitted the memorandum to then Congress Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.
It argued that before the merger agreement between the Manipur kingdom and the Union of India in 1949, the British had designated the Meiteis as a “tribe amongst tribes”. “We are essentially demanding the restoration of our tribal status that we had under the British,’’ Keithellakpam said.
Union Govt response
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs wrote to the Manipur government on May 29, 2013, requesting a specific recommendation on the inclusion of Meiteis in the ST list, along with the latest socio-economic survey data and an ethnographic report on the community. Neither these documents nor any request to include the Meiteis in the ST list has ever been submitted by any government in Imphal.
Since the 2013 letter, some 30 different representations have been made to the state government, and another 10 to the Indian government in support of the demand, Keithellakpam said.
Under Modi Govt
The committee asked for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Manipur in January 2019. When it was denied permission, the committee submitted a memorandum to the PM through the Manipur Chief Secretary.
Soon afterward, on April 4, 2019, the Tribal Affairs Ministry wrote to the state government, asking for a formal request and relevant documents.
In December 2020, the STDCM sought to submit its memorandum to Home Minister Amit Shah, who was on a visit to the state. Thereafter, Keithellakpam said, the Manipur Home Department received a communication from the Union Home Ministry that pointed out that the state had not submitted the requisite documentation to the Centre.
With the state government silent on the issue, STDCM volunteers stormed the office of Chief Minister N Biren Singh in December 2021. The Chief Minister was not present, and the volunteers left another memorandum.
After the BJP won a second term in 2022, the committee requested a meeting with Biren, which was accepted. “The Chief Minister was very positive and assured us that he will look into the matter. But nothing happened thereafter,’’ Keithellakpam said.
The STDCM’s last memorandum was submitted to Shah through government representatives during his three-day visit last month, even as violent ethnic clashes raged.
‘Identity, not quota’
“This issue is important to us because it is about preserving Meitei identity and culture. In 1951, the population of Meiteis was 59%, which came down to 44% in 2011. It isn’t even about reservation. There are sections of the Meitei community who have SC status. Meiteis were also given OBC status so we do have some reservation,” Keithellakpam said.
The struggle, he said, was about the protection of the Meitei identity and lands. “We occupy only 8% of Manipur’s land despite being the dominant community. Anybody from outside can come here, buy land, and settle down. But we can’t even go to the hills, which is a part of our state, and buy land there. We want equal status,’’he added.
Tribal groups, on the other hand, argue that they now make up 40% of Manipur’s population, and are underrepresented in the Assembly.
Old ‘permit’ system
The first census of Manipur in 1881 reported a total population of 2,21,070 — 1,17,108 Meiteis, 85,288 individuals belonging to the hill tribes, 105 foreigners and Muslims, and 18,569 Mayangs (any non-Manipuri Indian).
In 1901, the Manipur kingdom devised a “permit” or “passport” system to control the entry of “foreigners” (which was understood to include other Indians as well) and non-Manipuris. The population of Manipur at this time was 2,84,465 (1901 Census). Subsequently, “foreigners” who wished to visit Manipur would need permission from the Manipur Durbar, and pay a tax.
The “permit” system regulated the influx of non-Manipuris and served as a source of revenue. Non-Manipuris could not buy property in Manipur.
