Manipur HC deletes order to include Meitei community in Scheduled Tribe list

Digital Desk: In a recent development, the Manipur High Court made a pivotal decision on February 21, altering a crucial paragraph from its March 2023 judgment that had significant implications for the state's socio-political landscape. The contentious paragraph, known as 17(iii), directed the state government to consider the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list, stirring ethnic tensions in the region.

The fallout from the March 2023 ruling reportedly ignited an ethnic conflict between the Meiteis and the tribal Kuki-Zo communities over the sensitive issue of ST status. This discord prompted a review petition against the ruling, leading the high court to deliberate on the matter and ultimately order the removal of Paragraph 17(iii).

The court's decision to expunge the paragraph stemmed from its adherence to legal precedent, particularly citing the Supreme Court's stance on matters of tribal classification. Referencing the case of 'State of Maharashtra vs. Milind and Others,' the court emphasized that it cannot overstep its jurisdiction to determine the inclusion or exclusion of specific communities from the ST list. The Supreme Court's interpretation underscored that such determinations lie within the purview of Parliament, as articulated in Articles 341 and 342 of the Constitution.

The high court's rationale for deleting Paragraph 17(iii) was grounded in a comprehensive examination of both the procedural guidelines outlined by the Centre for ST inclusion/exclusion and the Constitutional Bench's verdict in the aforementioned case. The court deemed the direction given in Paragraph 17(iii) as contradictory to the observations made by the Supreme Court, necessitating its removal to align with legal precedence.

"I am satisfied and of the view that the direction given at Para No. 17(iii)... is against the observation made in the Constitution Bench of the Hon’ble Supreme Court," stated the court in its order, succinctly encapsulating the rationale behind the deletion of the contentious paragraph.

The court's decision marks a pivotal moment in Manipur's legal landscape, signaling a commitment to upholding constitutional principles while navigating the complex interplay of ethnicity, identity, and legal frameworks. As the region grapples with simmering tensions, the judiciary's role in ensuring adherence to the rule of law and constitutional propriety remains paramount.