Imphal, May 25: Demands for ST status by Meetei/Meitei community, justifying it as the only means for creating social equality between the Scheduled Tribe Community of the Hill and the majority people of Plain region is confusing to many ST communities of the state.
A tribal student leader from Manipur University, in an exclusive telephonic conversation with the Imphal Times said that ST status is provided to the down trodden tribal community to make their status go in par with the majority Meitei people in the state as well as those advance people across the country. Keeping the Meitei to the similar status with the tribal community is nothing but an attempt to suppress the tribal people, he added.
“Already we the ST communities in the state have many problems and misunderstanding among ourselves as the number of tribal communities is around 38, we find no logical conclusion on what basis the ST status will bring equal status among the people who are already recognised as tribal and the majority Meitei people”, Bosco Jaiche Kharam, President of Manipur University Tribal Student union said while talking to Imphal Times. He however admitted that as long as the rights of the smaller communities already included in the ST list in the state is protected, he did not want to give comment to the demand of any community.
“Besides, I am an ST student studying among the majority people and I don’t feel safe giving comment”, Bosco said.
Those demanding the ST status had already stated that the rights of the smaller ST group will not be affected as the state can prepared their own law. In a Judgement by Pradeep Nandrajog J of Delhi High Court in a case between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Memorial vs Union Of India (UoI) and others, announced on 5 July, 2004, it was ordered that Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India enables the State to make provisions for reservation for appointments or reservation to posts in favor of any backward class of citizens, which in the opinion of the State is not adequately represented in the service under the State. Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India is an enabling provision. Its object is to create equality of opportunity by reverse discrimination, in employment in public offices. This equality of opportunity is achieved qua backward class of citizens by enabling them to compete amongst equals i.e. amongst themselves.
When asked about his opinion, Bosco said that before he gives a proper comment he needs to know why the majority people want to become Scheduled Tribe. However the tribal student body leader said that when there is still a lot of trouble and problems among the different communities belonging to the ST Category how they could make arrangement if the majority Meitei also include among the ST.
“It will make another unending problem between the already ST people and the majority Meitei”, Bosco added.
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