Imphal: The demand for constitutional protection for the Meitei community in Manipur has again come into focus, with supporters arguing that the community lacks safeguards enjoyed by other indigenous groups in the state.

According to those raising the issue, the Manipur Merger Agreement of 1949 mainly dealt with the transfer of administrative powers from the Maharaja of Manipur to the Government of India and did not grant any special constitutional status to the state. They say the agreement lost further relevance after the introduction of Articles 363 and 363A of the Constitution, which also abolished the privy purse paid to the former ruler from December 28, 1971.

Supporters of the demand point out that the special constitutional provision related to Manipur is contained in Article 371C. Under this provision, the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Order, 1972 restricts the state assembly from taking up any scheduled matter concerning hill areas without the consent of the Hill Areas Committee.

The First Schedule of the 1972 order defines hill areas as covering about 92 percent of Manipur’s total land area. In addition, the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Act, 1971 created autonomous districts in the hill regions with powers to frame laws for local administration. These laws are implemented along with the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956.

All tribes residing in the hill areas are recognised as Scheduled Tribes under Article 342 of the Constitution. Because of this status, their land is protected under Section 158 of the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act, 1960, which prevents the sale of tribal land to non-tribal people.

Those advocating for Meitei inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list argue that the community does not enjoy similar protections despite being indigenous to the region. They claim that land holdings of Meiteis have reduced over time and now account for only a small portion of the state’s total land area.

They also cite demographic data indicating that the Meitei population in Manipur has declined from about 56.2 percent in 1881 to around 44.9 percent in 2011. Supporters say the community’s fertility rate and population growth are lower compared to other groups in the state.

On these grounds, proponents of the demand argue that granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community would provide constitutional safeguards and help preserve their identity and land rights. Some have also suggested that if the community receives ST status, the entire state could potentially be brought under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

The issue remains sensitive and continues to be debated among different communities and political groups in Manipur.