No to ST demand: PPCM

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 3

Protection and Preservation Committee Manipur (PPCM) has given their affirmation that the scheduled tribe demand for the Meitei is not in the larger interest of the public. Speaking to media persons in the regard at Wahengleikai Lairembi leirak office today, convenor of PPCM, Nongthombam Bimol told reporters that the organization is against the scheduled tribe status demand.

He said that the Meitei are the majority community among the other communities inhabiting the state and that we have our own script and tradition which is almost 2000 years old.

The Meitei have our own distinctive identity and religion which is recognized not only by the Indian nation but in a global arena too. Before the advent of Hinduism, there was not pagan or shamanism but the Sanamahi, Pakhangba,Panthoibi rituals constitute a proper religious doctrine. Even the British rulers at a time were considered unclean and at a lower stature as they were not allowed to enter temples then, this shows that the Meitei society never considered themselves as an inferior race. We never demeaned our community under any circumstances.

A memorandum in the regard was submitted to the Chief Minister yesterday by the PPCM members, it states that in the 20th century, the Meiteis never lagged behind in any form of profession be it medical, legal, engineering etc. as compared to other states or communities and population-wise. The only hindrance is the the inability to create new avenues for self-employment and this issue will not be solved by providing some reservation seats for the Meiteis. Rather, emphasis should be paid on the development of human resources inclusive of marketing our local resources to the global market. It said that the political economy now does not spare tribals and general alike as the one nation, one tax or rather GST has been imposed. This shows that even the tribals are now not in an exempted status like before, the memorandum states.

It mentioned that there have been policies from the time of the British rule which are objected at dividing the hills and the valley. The Meiteis being the majority should be more inclined to looking after the needs of the other minorities and at the same time creating a congenial atmosphere. The ST demand is more on adding fuel to the fire and creating a wider chasm between the hills and the valley and not the other way around, it said.

Bimol states “ We have had the ILP issue here and many lives were lost, we should learn from this and before taking any decision, we should take into consideration the opinion of the other ethnic communities, in this ST demand, we should consult all stakeholders,” he said.

The memorandum states the possibility of the Meities being awarded ST status that it will be more inclined towards making the Meitei community more lethargic then being competitive. Hence, the public should be more inclined to discuss the pros and cons of the demand and for the Meitei community to be more forward than to be regressive.