Manipur High Court retracts proposal on Meitis' scheduled tribe status amidst unrest; Supreme Court intervenes

NEW DELHI: Manipur High Court has retracted its controversial proposal to consider including the Meitis in the Scheduled Tribes list. Justice Golmei Gaifulshillu withdrew Justice M V Muralidharan's directive to the state government on March 27, 2023 citing ongoing review petitions. This decision comes amidst unrest between the Meiti and Kuki communities following the initial High Court order. The Supreme Court, asserting that courts cannot alter the Scheduled Tribes list, supported Justice Golmei Gaifulshilu's stance that the previous directive was inappropriate.

Following the controversial order, Justice M V Muralidharan was transferred to the Calcutta High Court, despite his request for a transfer to the Madras High Court or to remain in Manipur being denied by the Supreme Court collegium. Meanwhile, Kuki lawyers argued that the omission of a paragraph in the judgment was inconsequential.

The aftermath of the ruling saw over 200 fatalities and 60,000 displaced individuals due to riots that erupted in May 2023. The nation was appalled by reports of Kuki women being stripped naked and paraded through the streets. Subsequently, the Supreme Court intervened forming a judicial committee to address the situation.