Manipur High Court orders removal of troublesome paragraph in March 23 order

New Delhi, Feb 22: The High Court in Manipur issued a directive on Thursday to delete a contentious paragraph from a March 2023 order. The paragraph in question had urged the state to consider including the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list, a move deemed conflicting with the stance of the Supreme Court's constitution bench.

The directive by the High Court in Manipur to delete a controversial paragraph is going to stir significant analysis amidst ongoing ethnic unrest in the region. The paragraph in question, which suggested considering the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list, had sparked discord, particularly given its contradiction with the stance of the Supreme Court's constitution bench.

Issued on March 27, 2023, the directive had been viewed as a contributing factor to the eruption of ethnic tensions in Manipur, resulting in over 200 deaths. However, during a recent review petition hearing presided over by Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu, the High Court moved to rescind the controversial paragraph, signalling a pivotal shift in approach towards addressing the underlying issues fuelling the unrest.

This development follows objections raised by the Supreme Court last year in response to a challenge from the Kuki community, which opposed the inclusion of the Meitei community in the ST list.

The longstanding tensions between various ethnic groups in Manipur came to a head in May of the previous year, triggered by a 'Tribal Solidarity March' organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for ST status.

Understanding the demographic landscape of Manipur adds crucial context to the conflict. With Meiteis comprising a majority of the population and predominantly residing in the Imphal Valley, while tribal communities such as Nagas and Kukis inhabit the hill districts, the region grapples with intricate dynamics of identity politics and competing demands for recognition.

The High Court's decision to delete the contentious paragraph reflects a strategic attempt to address simmering ethnic tensions and restore stability in Manipur. However, the complexities underlying the conflict underscore the imperative of inclusive dialogue and effective resolution mechanisms to foster harmony among the diverse communities in the region.