Northeast Desk, 4th March: The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) has issued a statement clarifying the jurisdictional aspect of finalizing the inclusion of any community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. The committee emphasized that this matter falls under the purview of Parliament, not the judiciary.
In response to recent misreporting by some national media regarding a Manipur High Court order, the STDCM clarified that there is a misperception among certain sections of society regarding the demand of the Meetei/Meitei community for inclusion in the ST list. The confusion arose due to misinterpretation of the court’s order urging the deletion of a specific clause related to the Meetei/Meitei community’s demand.
The release highlighted that the judiciary is not the appropriate forum to address the demand for ST status, as affirmed by legal experts consulted by the STDCM. While some initially suggested seeking judicial intervention, it was later realized that such action would not be viable.
Furthermore, the STDCM underscored that the Supreme Court’s Constitution bench ruling in “State of Maharashtra vs Milind & Ors., (2001) 1 SCC 4” reaffirmed that granting ST status is beyond the jurisdiction of the Court.
The committee noted that any legal recourse pertaining to the Meetei/Meitei community’s demand for ST status would only concern the alleged failure of the state government to submit necessary recommendations to the Centre.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, the STDCM urged the state government to expedite the submission of required documents to the Centre. It emphasized that inclusion in the ST list is crucial for safeguarding the community’s future.
The release also called upon Meetei/Meitei MLAs and Ministers to act promptly by submitting recommendations in favor of the community’s ST status demand. Additionally, it urged the state government to address concerns of existing ST list members and reassure them of the benefits of including the Meetei/Meitei community.
The STDCM reiterated its commitment to advocating for the inclusion of the Meetei/Meitei community in the ST list, citing it as essential for the community’s preservation and security.
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