The Manipur High Court has revised its order from last year regarding the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list, a decision that had sparked significant ethnic tensions in the Northeastern State. The detailed order issued today has omitted the directive for the State to consider the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe category, a move that had provoked strong opposition from the Kuki community.
Referencing a ruling by a constitution bench of the Supreme Court, the High Court justified its decision by highlighting the prescribed procedure for both the inclusion and exclusion of tribes in the Scheduled list. The apex court had previously asserted that the authority to modify, amend, or alter the ST list lies solely with the Central Government and cannot be altered by the judiciary.
The Manipur High Court’s initial directive had been challenged in the Supreme Court last year by the Kuki community, prompting the top court to scrutinise the order.
