This note responds to the circulation on social media of “The main takeaways from PM Modi’s speech in Churachandpur on 13th September 2025.”
PM Modi has skillfully skirted the core issues, offering only platitudes—acknowledging that the “hill areas” have been historically neglected and praising the resilience of local communities.
One perplexing remark was his reference to demands from hill communities for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. All hill tribes in Manipur already have ST recognition. The comment raises questions—was he referring to ambiguities in the classification of certain Kuki or Mizo clans, or was he indirectly alluding to the Meitei community, who are not hill people? Such implications are concerning given recent tensions over land and rights.
Other statements from the Prime Minister—calls for peace and reconciliation, promises of development and infrastructure projects, and mentions of new rail links and an airport—were largely symbolic. Both projects are already under construction, and the speech largely avoided addressing the central issues affecting Manipur.
The primary concern in Manipur is “Equity.” Since statehood, tribal populations in hill districts—protected under Article 371-C—have been denied their fair share of development funds, allocation of government functionaries, infrastructural assets, central and state-level institutions, assembly seats, and ministerial berths.
Despite comprising 41% of the population, tribal representation in ministerial positions has been disproportionately low, and the Supreme Court’s directive to adjust assembly seats in hill districts based on the 2001 census has not been implemented. Addressing these systemic imbalances is critical, requiring political and administrative reforms to ensure equitable development for the hill tribes.
The second key issue is the widening “Trust Deficit” between the dominant Meitei community and tribal populations. Recent actions surrounding the ST status demand by the Meitei community—handled surreptitiously in the Manipur High Court without consulting tribal ministers—have amplified suspicions of bias and partiality.
The order passed in March 2023 was made public only in April, and its procedural shortcuts exacerbated fears of manipulation.
The Meitei leadership’s open admission that their ST status demand aims to acquire tribal lands exemplifies “Brute Majoritarianism.”
While Meiteis already benefit from SC and OBC reservations and representation in All India Services, their bypassing of established Lokur Committee criteria and government procedures signals an intent to achieve objectives “by hook or by crook.” Such actions risk deepening ethnic tensions and reinforcing fears among tribal communities of hegemonic designs.
As long as issues of equity, trust deficit, and brute majoritarianism remain unaddressed, developmental promises and projects alone cannot resolve the conflict. Real solutions require systemic changes in governance mechanisms, transparent procedures, and accountability, overseen by legislative and administrative committees dedicated to the hill areas.
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