The original inhabitants of Manipur are all of mongoloid stock. They have a common racial ancestry, with Mongoloid physical features and genetic profiles. There are over 30 distinct indigenous tribes in Manipur, with languages and dialects belonging to the Tibeto-Burman group. These tribes have a long history in Manipur and have rich cultural heritage that reflects their unique identities and traditions. The population of Manipur can be differentiated between indigenous communities and migrants from other parts of India and neighboring countries.

The Meitei/Meetei tribe is recognized as one of the indigenous (Yelhou-mee) tribes of Manipur, residing predominantly in the centrally located small valley of Manipur. In the early 18th century, they embraced Vaishnavism, a sect of Hinduism, thereby adopting the faith of Vaishnavite Hindus. However, they have managed to preserve their distinct language, cultures, and traditions throughout history. Notably, they played a pivotal role in the establishment of the former Kingdom of Manipur, with rulers hailing from the Meitei/Meetei tribe. Having settled in the valley region, the Meitei/Meetei became somewhat complacent, neglecting to prioritize adherence to the provisions outlined in the Indian Constitution after becoming a part of India in 1949. Little did they anticipate the potential existential threats they would face in the future. Consequently, they have been living without any constitutional safeguards to this day.

The Indian Constitution does not explicitly define the term "indigenous people." However, the Supreme Court of India, in a judgment dated January 5, 2011, pertaining to SLP(Crl) No.10367 of 2010 from the State of Maharashtra, clearly stated that the Adivasis/Scheduled Tribes (ST) are the descendants of the original inhabitants (indigenous/yelhou-mee) of India. Consequently, the communities included in the list of Scheduled Tribes under Article 342(1) of the Indian Constitution are granted extensive constitutional safeguards to preserve their indigenous identity. Furthermore, various welfare schemes, including job reservations, have been implemented to promote and uplift the Scheduled Tribe communities.

Despite being a tribal community by birth, the Meitei/Meetei, one of the indigenous tribes of Manipur, have yet to receive recognition as a Scheduled Tribe under the Constitution of India. This lack of recognition has left them without any constitutional safeguards since their integration into India in 1949. In 1951, the Meitei/Meetei population accounted for 59% of the state's total population, but this figure has since dropped to approximately 44% or 1.25 million people in 2011. The Meitei/Meetei have been gradually marginalized due to the continuing influx of people from the mainland India and from across the international border, as well as the changing ground reality and geo-politics of Northeast India in general and Manipur in particular. This has pushed them towards becoming a minority and ultimately facing an existential threat in their ancestral land of Manipur. Additionally, their economic condition is one of the worst in the country. As an indigenous tribe, they urgently require constitutional safeguards similar to those provided to other communities in Manipur and Northeast India. Therefore, the demand for ST status is imperative.

A group of Meitei/Meetei individuals from diverse professional backgrounds convened to discuss the dire situation faced by the indigenous Meitei/Meetei tribe of Manipur. The discussions and interactions encompassed the various challenges and deteriorating conditions experienced by the Meitei/Meetei community. During these deliberations, they examined the opportunities afforded to SCs, STs, minorities, and other groups under the Constitution. Over the course of several months, they continued to hold meetings, discourses, and group discussions with additional participants. Ultimately, they arrived at the conclusion that, given the constantly evolving geopolitical landscape, it would be arduous for the Meitei/Meetei to survive without any constitutional protections.

After extensive meetings, discussions, and careful consideration of numerous options, the organization reached a consensus on January 16, 2012, and officially adopted the name "Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur Valley” (STDCMV). The esteemed Professor Yumnam Mohendra Singh (Retd) and Advocate Nambam Manikanta Singh were appointed as the founder Chairman and General Secretary, respectively. The Committee embarked on a thorough examination of historical records and documents to investigate the exclusion of the Meitei/Meetei community from the list of scheduled tribes in India. This omission had occurred when the initial gazette notifications were issued in 1950 and 1951. Subsequently, a memorandum was meticulously prepared and copies were submitted to the then Governor of Manipur, Shri Gurbachan Jagat, and the then Honorable Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri Okram Ibobi Singh, on November 30, 2012, and December 18, 2012, respectively. The memorandum urged these esteemed individuals to take the necessary steps to include the indigenous Meitei/Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribe list. Consequently, the STDCMV's movement to advocate for the inclusion of Meetei/Meitei people in the Scheduled Tribe list began to gain significant momentum.

A State-level Symposium was held on September 2, 2013, at Gandhi Memorial Hall, Imphal, with Professor C. Amuba Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University, and Professor Yumnam Mohendra Singh, Chairman of STDCMV, serving as the Chief Guest and President, respectively. During the symposium, it was unanimously resolved and recommended to proceed with the efforts to include the Meitei/Meetei tribe in the Scheduled Tribe list. Additionally, the symposium also resolved to remove the word 'Valley' from the organization's name. Consequently, the organization, now known as the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM), was officially established.

In order to advance the movement in a systematic, controlled, and democratic manner, it was deemed necessary for the organization to have a functional Constitution that would facilitate its endeavors. Consequently, a draft Constitution consisting of 22 Articles was prepared and presented during the Executive Committee meeting held on December 8, 2013. The committee resolved to convene a Special General Body meeting to deliberate on the draft constitution. Subsequently, a Special General Body meeting took place on December 15, 2013, at the organization's office in Uripok Haobam Dewan Leikai, Imphal West. During this meeting, the draft Constitution was approved and it was resolved to enforce it starting from December 16, 2013. As the STDCM is an organization of the people's movement dedicated to the welfare of the Meitei/Meetei community, it was deemed inappropriate to register under any government Acts. Therefore, it is not officially registered as an organization. The functioning of the Organization is carried out by an Executive Committee that is democratically elected from among the active members. The President leads the Executive Committee, and their term of office lasts for two years. The organizational year follows the calendar year, commencing on April 1 and concluding on March 31 of the following year.

1. We will strive to include the Meitei/Meetei, the indigenous Community (Yelhou-furup) of Manipur, in the Scheduled Tribe list under the Indian Constitution. We will work diligently towards this goal.
2. We are committed to protecting, safeguarding, and promoting the indigenous communities of Manipur. Our efforts will be focused on ensuring their well-being and preserving their cultural heritage.
3. We aim to foster a homogeneous, harmonious, cohesive, and peaceful society in the State of Manipur, based on ethnic equality. We believe in creating an inclusive environment where all communities can thrive.
4. We aim to provide constitutional safeguards to the Meetei/Meitei ethnic identity as Yelhou-mee (indigenous people) of Manipur. This is to prevent their extinction or minority status in Manipur.
5. We seek to eliminate the constitutional divide that creates social divisions between tribal hill people and non-tribal valley people among the indigenous communities of Manipur. Our goal is to promote unity and equality among all communities.
6. We strive to provide the same constitutional safeguards to the valley districts of Manipur as those enjoyed by other hill districts of the State. This is to ensure equal treatment and opportunities for all regions.
7. Our objective is to establish a composite tribal State of Manipur that respects and values all indigenous communities equally. We aim to create a society where every community is given equal importance and representation.

1. All Meitei/Meetei by blood who are currently categorized as Other Backward Classes.
2. All Meitei/Meetei by blood who are currently categorized as Scheduled Castes.
3. Any Meitei/Meetei by blood, regardless of their religious beliefs.
4. All Meitei Bamons who have been assimilated into and become part of the Meitei society.

The criteria presently followed for specification of a community as a Scheduled Tribe are : (i) indications of primitive traits, (ii) distinctive culture, (iii) geographical isolation, (iv) shyness of contact with the community at large, and (v) backwardness. However, these criteria are not spelt out in the Constitution. Government of India on 15.6.1999 (as further amended on 25.6.2002), has approved modalities for deciding claims for inclusion in, exclusion from and other modifications in Orders specifying lists of Scheduled Tribes (STs). Accordingly, only those proposals which have been recommended and justified by concerned State Government / UT Administration can be processed further. Thereafter, it has to be concurred with by Registrar General of India (RGI) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) for consideration for amendment of legislation.

1. The respective State/Union Territory (UT) government will take a decision to recommend the inclusion of the community (or communities) from their jurisdiction in the ST list.
2. The concerned State/UT government will then constitute a commission for preparation of an ethnographic report and the latest socio-economic Survey report for the community in question.
3. Subsequently, the State/UT government will forward specific recommendations, along with the two aforementioned reports, to the Government of India.
4. The Government of India will refer the proposal received from the State/UT to the Registrar General of India (RGI) for their concurrence.
5. Once the RGI has concurred with the proposal, it will be forwarded to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) for their concurrence as well.
6. After the NCST has also concurred with the proposal, it will be presented before the Central Cabinet for the preparation of a bill, which will then be introduced in the Parliament for the amendment of the legislation.
7. Once the bill has been passed by both houses of the Parliament, it will be sent to the President for his/her consent. Upon obtaining the President's approval, a gazette notification will be issued to officially include the community in the ST list.

The Meitei/Meetei tribe, as an indigenous community, is entitled to recognition as a Scheduled Tribe under the Constitution of India. It is imperative that the tribe be included in the ST list, which was notified in 1950 and 1951, in order to ensure that their status as an indigenous community is legally and constitutionally protected. Failure to do so would render their claim to indigenous status meaningless. Therefore, it is essential that the Meitei/Meetei tribe be included in the ST list to secure their constitutional safeguards.

1. The Census of India in 1891, A General Report, on page 194, identifies the Manipuri community as a Forest Tribe residing in Manipur.
2. According to the Census of India in 1901, Volume 1: Report, on page 121, the Manipuri community is documented under the Province of Assam as the main tribe of Manipur.
3. The Census of India in 1931, Volume 1, on page 430, Paragraph 181, clarifies that the Manipuri community is a wholly Hindu tribe, while still maintaining their distinctive language and culture.
4. The Imperial Gazetteer of India Provincial Series – Eastern Bengal and Assam, as well as the Gazetteer of Bengal and North East India in 1909, records the Manipuri (Meitei) community as one of the principal tribes in the North East India region.
5. In the Ethnography (Castes and Tribes) report of 1912 by Sir Athelstaine Baines, Appendix B, the Caste Index classifies the Meithei (Meitei) community in group 43(f) as a "Hill Tribe" in the locality of Manipur.
6. According to the census records of 1951, the Meitei population accounted for 59% of the total population of Manipur. However, as per the census records of 2011, this percentage has decreased to 44%.

Initially, the majority of the Meitei/Meetei community, who predominantly practice Vaishnavite Hinduism, did not give serious consideration to the proposal. They were not inclined to easily accept it, as they viewed it solely from a religious perspective. It is well-known that in the past, we ourselves claimed to be racially Aryan and descendants of Arjuna, the mythological hero of the Mahabharata, which was a falsehood and a fabricated history. However, this erroneous narrative had a significant impact on the general Vaishnavite Meitei/Meetei public. To enlighten them about the realities and our true origins, a comprehensive awareness campaign was necessary. In addition to the awareness campaign, the Committee conducted further research to gather supporting documents and information about the Constitutional provisions that grant safeguards to the indigenous peoples of India.

Various memoranda, representations, and reminders have been consistently submitted to both the Manipur Government and the Central Government, urging them to take the necessary actions to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the indigenous Meitei/Meetei community. Additionally, awareness campaign and mobilization efforts have been ongoing to build a mass movement. However, the response from the Manipur Government has been unsatisfactory and non-committal, with occasional general statements indicating that the matter will be considered and appropriate action will be taken after consulting all stakeholders. Dissatisfied with the State Government's indifferent and apathetic attitude, the STDCM, along with the Meitei/Meetei people, have initiated various democratic movements and agitations to exert pressure on the Government to take the necessary steps to send the required recommendations to the Central Government. These actions have included sit-in protests at different locations, demonstrations, short rallies, forming human chains, shouting slogans, storming the residences of Meitei Ministers and MLAs, including the Chief Minister, bike rallies, mass rallies, general strikes, and protests at main market centres. Unfortunately, the Manipur Government has not yet taken any necessary step in this regard.