Manipur: Thadou Inpi rejects TCI as 'unmandated'; condemns ‘Thadou is Not Kuki’ slogan as divisive

In a firm rebuttal, the Thadou Inpi General Headquarters, the leading organization of the Thadou tribe, has strongly condemned the Thadou Community International (TCI) Convention held in Guwahati, dismissing TCI as an unauthorized body lacking the authority to represent the Thadou people.

The Thadou Inpi General Headquarters expressed its disapproval of the resolutions and statements from the TCI convention, labeling them "null and void" and criticized the prominent slogan, “Thadou is not Kuki,” as an “emotional outburst” driven by a divisive mentality within factions of Any Kuki Tribe (AKT).

Chongpu Kipgen, President of the Thadou Inpi General Headquarters said that the convention, held from October 31 to November 2, was conducted without the knowledge or endorsement of Thadou Inpi, the legitimate apex body representing the Thadou tribe. Kipgen stressed that TCI does not have any mandate to speak on behalf of the Thadou community, casting doubt on the legitimacy of its resolutions.

In response to the TCI’s slogan, “Thadou is not Kuki,” Kipgen explained that the Thadou community is historically and culturally linked to the broader Kuki identity and such affiliations cannot be easily erased. He said, “The Thadou identity has deep-rooted ties to the Kuki community, similar to other indigenous groups in Manipur.” He suggested that the rejection of the Kuki label could undermine the Thadou tribe’s heritage and shared history with other Kuki groups.

Kipgen also noted that the slogan is a reactionary move, potentially motivated by sentiments of supremacy among certain AKT members, which contradicts the established cultural affiliations and unity valued by the Thadou people. The Thadou Inpi General Headquarters reiterated that TCI’s statements do not align with the views of the broader Thadou population and should not be viewed as representative.

Moreover, Thadou Inpi urged caution against rhetoric that could fragment the community, stressing the importance of preserving the unity and cultural ties shared with the larger Kuki identity. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the Thadou tribe’s position within the Kuki umbrella, warning that TCI's divisive stance may create discord and harm the cultural integrity of the community.