In a significant development, the Manipur High Court has given the green light to four tribal organizations to appeal against its previous order, which had directed the state government to forward a recommendation for granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. This decision comes in the wake of sectarian violence that erupted following the court’s initial order, leading to the tragic loss of at least 180 lives.
The All Manipur Tribal Union, All Tribal Disabled Union, Joint Coordination Committee on Tribal Rights, and All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur expressed their concerns in a petition. They emphasized that their rights and interests would be “prejudicially affected” if they weren’t given an opportunity to voice their objections or challenge the decision to grant ST status to the Meitei community.
The division bench, comprising Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh and Justice A Guneshwar Sharma, acknowledged the concerns raised by the tribal groups. They stated,
“the main grievances raised by the applicant is that they will be prejudicially affected if they are not given a chance to have a say or to raise objection in the matter of granting ST status to the Meitei community.”
The initial order by then acting Chief Justice MV Muralidharan on March 27 faced widespread backlash, especially from Kuki bodies. This led to a violent outbreak during a protest rally organized by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur on May 3.
The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, expressed its reservations about the Manipur High Court’s March 27 order. The Chief Justice remarked,
“we gave time to justice Muralidharan to remedy his error and he did not. We have to take a strong view against it now.”
Highlighting the implications of the order, Advocate Collin Gonsalves, representing the tribal bodies, argued that if the Meitei community is granted ST status, it would adversely impact the existing tribal STs in areas of employment and education. He pointed out that the Meitei community, being dominant in various spheres, would potentially occupy a majority of the ST reserved seats.
On the other hand, State additional advocate general M Devananda clarified that the March 27 order merely directed the state to submit a recommendation for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the ST list, and it wouldn’t affect the rights of Manipur’s tribals.
In May, the Supreme Court criticized the High Court’s March 27 decision, noting that it had sparked widespread violence in the state. The apex court deemed the judgment “factually incorrect” and contrary to the principles established by the Supreme Court regarding the classification of communities as Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes.
With the recent developments, the Manipur High Court‘s decision to reconsider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the ST list will be closely watched by all stakeholders involved.
Also read- Supreme Court Raises Alarm Over Extended Case Delays, Calls For Swift Justice (lawchakra.in)
