Guwahati: The Thadou Convention 2024, held in Guwahati from November 1-2, has emphasized that the Thadou people, one of the 29 native tribes of Manipur, are an independent, indigenous community recognized under the 1956 Presidential Order. The Convention reaffirmed Thadou’s distinct identity, language, culture, and history, emphasizing that Thadou is not a part of the Kuki group but an independent entity.
Leaders and delegates from across India and abroad participated in the event, reiterating that Thadou has always been recognized in official records without any prefix or suffix. Notably, since the first census of 1881, Thadou has consistently remained the largest tribe in Manipur, with a population of 215,913 recorded in 2011. In contrast, the designation “Any Kuki Tribes” (AKT) first appeared in the 2011 Manipur census, with a population of 28,342.
The Convention strongly condemned colonial and post-colonial practices that misidentified Thadou as Kuki, labelling the term AKT as a politically motivated construct introduced in 2003. The Convention stated that removing AKT from Manipur’s Scheduled Tribes list would serve the interests of indigenous communities and promote national integrity. It asserted that this correction is essential for justice and for addressing or preventing future issues tied to this identity misalignment.
The Convention also rejected the colonial term “Kuki,” describing it as a general label applied to various groups without their consensus. Other tribes, such as Aimol, Gangte, Hmar, Kom, Mizo, Paite, Simte, Vaiphei, and Zou, similarly do not identify with this label. Attempts to conflate Thadou with Kuki were described as divisive and unacceptable impositions on Thadou identity.
Furthermore, the Convention condemned any organization that misrepresents Thadou as “Thadou-Kuki” or implies a Kuki association, dismissing these groups as illegitimate and non-representative of Thadou interests. It denounced all forms of cultural misappropriation, asserting that Thadou identity, language, attire, dances, and literature must not be misrepresented as Kuki. The term “Kuki” was stated to lack any specific tribal or cultural reference, attire, or dance.
The Convention urged government authorities, media, academia, civil society, and international organizations to recognize Thadou solely as “Thadou,” with no prefix or suffix, and to correct any misidentification as Kuki.
Calling for peace in Manipur and Myanmar, the Convention expressed hopes for a future rooted in justice, nonviolence, and mutual respect. The Convention honored the victims of violence in Manipur since May 3, 2023, noting that Thadou people have suffered extensively due to misidentification and have often been overlooked as victims. Solidarity was also extended to the Thadou community in Myanmar, who continue to face the impact of political unrest.
