Manipur Meitei Community

February 25, 2022

Demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the majority Meitei community, has become a huge election issue in Manipur. The Meiteis are dominant in two-third of 60 constituencies in Imphal Valley.

Highlights

In the Imphal Valley, Meitei intellectuals and people are debating for and against the ST status demand.
Yambem Laba, a former chairperson of the Manipur Human Rights Commission, believes that although most Meiteis are Hindus, but they still follow the old tribal system.

Status of Meiteis

Till 1935, Meiteis were entered in census of India as ST.
When the Constitution was drafted in 1949-50, former Assam Chief Minister Gopinath Bordoloi asked whether the Meiteis wanted to be included as ST. They opted for opinions of just three people- 2 Brahmins and a Sanskritised Meitei. They were of the view that, they cannot become ST because of socio-economic lifestyles of the tribals.

Areas dominated by Meiteis

Meiteis used to control areas up to Chindwin in Myanmar as well as Surma Valley in Bangladesh. Now, they are confined to 8 per cent in Manipur’s area. Now, Tribals are infiltrating Imphal by putting candidates in polls.

Why is there demand for ST Status?

Demand for ST status is not because the Meitei community want jobs in Central sector. But because they can’t buy land in hill areas. So, even if Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act can be amended, there cannot be any concern related to ST.

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