LI Network
Published on: February 22, 2024 at 20:35 IST
Manipur High Court has modified its previous order regarding the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribes list, a decision that had sparked ethnic violence in the northeastern state. The detailed order issued today has removed the directive to the state government to expedite the consideration of adding Meiteis to the Scheduled Tribe list.
The original order, which had instructed the state to consider the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list promptly, had caused controversy, particularly among the Kuki community. The Kuki community had approached the Supreme Court questioning the validity of the directive issued by former Acting Chief Justice MV Muralidaran on March 27, 2023.
Citing a precedent set by a constitution bench of the Supreme Court, the Manipur High Court emphasized that the process of inclusion or exclusion of tribes in the Scheduled list falls under the purview of the Central government, with no role for the courts. The High Court referenced the Supreme Court’s observation that courts cannot modify, amend, or alter the Scheduled Tribe list.
The order issued by Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu today deleted the directive that had instructed the state to consider Meiteis’ inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list within four weeks. This amendment aligns with the Supreme Court’s stance on the matter.
Although the modification of the court order does not conclude the issue of Meiteis’ inclusion in the Scheduled list, it shifts the responsibility to the dialogue between the state and the Centre. The Centre had requested recommendations from the state regarding the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list, but the state is yet to provide these recommendations.
Despite this development, the matter remains unresolved, awaiting further deliberation and action from both the state and the Central government. The decision underscores the complexities surrounding tribal identity and recognition, highlighting the need for careful consideration and adherence to legal frameworks in such matters.