Manipur High Court revises order on Meitei inclusion in Scheduled Tribe list

Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu, presiding over the bench, remarked that the original judgment was flawed due to the petitioners’ failure to properly assist the court during the hearing.

In a significant turn of events, the Manipur High Court has taken a step back from its previous stance on the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. On Wednesday, the court made a decisive move by deleting a crucial paragraph from its March 27, 2023, order, which had recommended the state government to consider the inclusion of the majority Meitei community in the ST list.

The paragraph in question, Paragraph 17(iii) of the judgment, has been removed. It previously directed the first respondent to consider the case of petitioners for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the ST list within a specified timeframe. This order, according to the recent ruling, was passed under a ‘misconception of the law.’

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Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu, presiding over the bench, remarked that the original judgment was flawed due to the petitioners’ failure to properly assist the court during the hearing. This lack of clarity led to a misconception of both fact and law. Furthermore, the court highlighted that the directive issued in March 2023 contradicted a previous Supreme Court judgment in the State of Maharashtra vs Milind & Ors case. In that ruling, the apex court explicitly stated that courts do not possess the authority to modify, amend, or alter the ST list.

In light of this legal precedent, the Manipur High Court deemed it necessary to revise its earlier directive. Justice Gaiphulshillu emphasized the importance of aligning judicial decisions with established legal principles, leading to the deletion of Paragraph 17(iii) from the original judgment.

The proposal to include the Meitei community in the ST list had triggered significant controversy, particularly among the tribal Kukis. The initial high court order recommending consideration of Meitei inclusion was perceived as a catalyst for ongoing ethnic tensions, which erupted into clashes in May and have since claimed hundreds of lives.

The recent revision of the high court’s order signifies a recalibration of the legal approach to the issue of tribal classification. While acknowledging the importance of addressing the grievances of various communities, the court reaffirmed the limits of its authority in matters concerning the ST list.

The decision to delete Paragraph 17(iii) underscores the judiciary’s commitment to upholding legal precedent and ensuring consistency in its rulings. It serves as a reminder of the judiciary’s responsibility to interpret and apply the law faithfully, even in the face of complex social and political dynamics.

As the debate over tribal classification continues to unfold in Manipur, the recent revision of the high court’s order is poised to influence future discussions and legal proceedings surrounding the status of the Meitei community within the state’s socio-political landscape.