MANIPUR: In the midst of ethnic violence in India that has claimed the lives of over 130 people since May, a prominent tribal organisation has called for the creation of a new state.
A desire to provide tribal status to the majority Hindu Meitei population has sparked protests and violence in the northeastern state of Manipur, which is primarily inhabited by the Kukis. Since then, members of both groups have attacked homes, automobiles, and religious buildings belonging to the other.
On Thursday, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the supreme body of all Kuki tribes, advocated for the separation of Manipur into a new state. According to KIM, the demand for a new state and the creation of a separate government under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution were both decided upon on July 12.
After a crucial cabinet meeting on July 12, 2023, and the executive decision taken therefrom, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) “explicitly stated its demand for separate administration in the form of separate State under Art. 3 of the Indian Constitution,” according to a statement released by KIM general secretary Khaikhohauh Gangte.
According to Telegraph India, Mr. Gangte explained that the decision was made after “burning down their colonies and settlements and churches” and a “hounding” of “all” the Kukis in the Imphal Valley.
He pledged that the Kuki people would “continue” to work towards their common goal of establishing a sovereign nation until that goal was achieved.
The Meitei people, who are predominantly Hindu and make up almost half of the state’s population, have been campaigning for years to be recognised as a Scheduled Tribe (ST).
Article 3 of the Indian Constitution grants the Indian Parliament the power to create a new state by carving off land from an existing one, combining two or more states or parts of states, or integrating any territory with a part of any state.
As a type of affirmative action to combat historical structural inequity and prejudice, the Indian government reserves some government employment, college admissions, and electoral seats (from village councils to parliament) for communities under the ST category.
However, other groups, including many Christians, are concerned that giving the Meiteis special status may lead to unfair competition for jobs and other privileges.
As a result of their disproportionate representation in state government, members of the Meitei ethnic minority have enjoyed higher economic and infrastructure development than members of any other group in the state.
The majority of the state’s population lives in the six valley districts, while the Kuki and Naga peoples in the 10 hill districts are predominantly Christian.
While the European Parliament has passed a resolution on the ethnic disputes, India has condemned it as a “interference” in its domestic affairs and has labelled it as such.
According to the resolution passed by the European Union parliament, “nationalistic rhetoric deployed by leading members of the BJP party” was condemned “in the strongest terms.”
India has responded to the resolution passed by the EU parliament by calling it “unacceptable” and “symptomatic of a colonial mindset.”
Arindam Bagchi, a spokesman for India’s foreign ministry, said in a statement, “Such interference in India’s internal affairs is unacceptable, and reflects a colonial mindset.”
“Authorities at all levels in India, including the court, are aware of the situation in Manipur and are taking measures to ensure that law and order are maintained. The European Parliament would do well to focus more on its own internal matters.
India was urged in the resolution to “protect all religious minorities, including the Christian community in Manipur, and to pre-empt any further escalation by taking all necessary measures and making the utmost effort to promptly halt the ongoing ethnic and religious violence.”
