Thadou Leaders Affirm Unique Identity, Call for Removal of ‘Kuki’ Label from Public Records
Introduction: Thadou Convention 2024 Opens in Guwahati
The Thadou Convention 2024, organized by the Thadou Community International and the Thadou Students’ Association, officially opened on October 31, 2024, in Guwahati, Assam. The convention brought together Thadou leaders and delegates from across India and abroad to discuss the pressing issues surrounding the Thadou community’s identity and heritage. The first day of the event witnessed a historic declaration rejecting the “Kuki” label and reaffirming the Thadou community’s distinct ethnic identity.
Thadou’s Rejection of the Kuki Identity
At the heart of the convention’s proceedings, Thadou leaders emphasized their community’s unique status, strongly rejecting any association with the “Kuki” identity. The Thadou community described the term “Kuki” as a colonial-era misidentification that fails to accurately represent their distinct language, culture, and traditions. Delegates argued that the classification of Thadou people as Kuki, especially following the 2003 inclusion of “Any Kuki Tribes” (AKT) in India’s Scheduled Tribes list, has led to misrepresentation and confusion about their cultural identity.
The Thadou Declaration: A Call for Cultural Preservation
The convention’s official declaration highlighted the Thadou people’s independence from the Kuki identity. Thadou leaders reaffirmed that their community possesses its own language, customs, traditions, and history—separate from those associated with the Kuki label. They expressed concern over the 2003 AKT listing, calling for its removal to prevent further misrepresentation of the Thadou community.
Thadou representatives also referred to their long-standing recognition as one of the 29 indigenous tribes of Manipur under the 1956 Presidential Order. With a population exceeding 200,000 in Manipur alone, the Thadou community claims a distinct cultural and ethnic identity, much larger and more established than the relatively smaller AKT community.
Condemnation of Cultural Misappropriation
The convention leaders took a firm stance against organizations using the Thadou name in connection with the Kuki identity. They accused these groups of cultural misappropriation and condemned the misrepresentation of the Thadou language, attire, literature, and history by Kuki-affiliated organizations. The Thadou community leaders stressed that the term “Kuki” is not representative of a specific tribe or language but is rather a colonial construct with no inherent cultural significance.
Historical Context and Human Rights Violations
Thadou leaders also raised concerns about a long history of Kuki supremacy and human rights violations against the Thadou people, dating back to the 1970s. They urged government bodies, media outlets, and civil society to recognize and respect the Thadou identity without attaching the Kuki label, calling for corrections in public records, official documents, and public discourse.
Formation of New Thadou Organizations
In a significant development, the convention announced the formation of the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM), a unified body dedicated to representing the Thadou people in Manipur under the Thadou Inpi Constitution. The goal of the organization is to restore dignity and respect to the Thadou community, ensuring its rights and identity are safeguarded.
Additionally, the convention saw the formation of several new organizations, including:
- Thadou Inpi Mizoram (TIMz)
- Thadou Chiefs’ Council (TCC)
- Thadou Human Rights Advocacy (THRA)
- Thadou Academic Forum (TAF)
- Thadou Senior Citizens Forum (TSCF)
These organizations are designed to promote the rights and interests of the Thadou people and ensure their community’s voice is heard at all levels of governance and public life.
Seeking Scheduled Tribe Recognition in Other States
One of the key resolutions from the Thadou Convention 2024 was the decision to seek Scheduled Tribe (ST) recognition for the Thadou community in the states of Assam, Mizoram, and Nagaland. Thadou leaders emphasized the importance of this recognition to protect the community’s rights, land, and cultural heritage. They called on the Indian government to take swift action to rectify the historical oversight regarding their community’s status.
Conclusion: Thadou Convention 2024 Calls for Identity Preservation
As the Thadou Convention 2024 enters its second and final day, the focus remains on discussions about the Thadou community’s future, the protection of their rights, and the preservation of their distinct cultural identity. The convention’s rejection of the Kuki label marks a significant step in the Thadou people’s ongoing efforts to reclaim their heritage and demand respect for their unique identity in the face of colonial-era misidentifications and modern-day challenges.
The establishment of new organizations and the pursuit of ST recognition across multiple states further signals the Thadou community’s commitment to securing a dignified and independent future.