Terming the March 27 Manipur High Court order as negating the sole objective of scheduling groups of people for protective discrimination as ST in the constitution of India, the United Naga Council (UNC) has vehemently condemned the HC ruling.
The High Court of Manipur order on March 27 directed the Manipur state Government to recommend for inclusion of the Meitei/Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of India.
The United Naga Council (UNC) stated that the Meitei/Meetei community of Manipur are an advanced community of India with their language, Manipuri (Meiteilon) listed in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
It also stated that the Meitei/Meetei are already protected under the constitution of India and categorized as (i) General (ii) Other Backward Classes (OBC) and (iii) Schedule Caste (SC).
It is irrational that the High Court of Manipur directed the Government of Manipur to recommend for inclusion of the Meitei/Meetei community in the Schedule Tribe (ST) list of India, negating the sole objective of scheduling group of people for protective discrimination as ST in the constitution of India, the UNC stated.
The United Naga Council (UNC) therefore, strongly condemned the inane order of the Manipur High Court dated 27/03/2023 directing the government of Manipur to make such imbecilic recommendation despite strong opposition from the Schedule Tribe of the state, it added.
