IMPHAL, May 17: The Maoist Communist Party has stated that the proposed theory that recognition of Meitei/Meetei as a scheduled tribe will result in an egalitarian society with equal distribution of political and economic assets tantamount to misleading the general public.
In a press statement issued today, the MCP said states like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Island which have predominantly scheduled tribe population cannot be judged as having attained a society where there is equality.
Revolutionary organisations actively operating in Manipur have continuously been asserting that their objective is the foundation of an equal society. The claim that inclusion of Meitei/Meetei as ST will result in realisation of this goal will be making a mockery of the vision of the revolutionary movement in Manipur and the aspirations of the general population, it stated.
The statement further remarked that people who are engaged in popularisation of the philosophy of Hijam Irabot for creation of an equal society should not take lightly the movement for demanding ST status for Meitei/Meetei community. Since, the MCP is among the parties which are keenly participating in the debate to identify the merits and demerits of inclusion of the community among the ST list, it will be premature to spell out any concrete observation at this moment. However, the note claimed, it will be the right decision not to pursue the theory that conversion of Meitei/Meetei to ST will bring forth an equal society in Manipur.
At the same time, MCP in the statement has expressed its support to the continuation of ongoing public debate on whether Meitei/Meetei should demand ST status or not, stating that the organisation will be a part of such undertaking.