TIM urges Governor to correct long-standing historical errors in ethnic identification

Imphal: The Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM), the apex body of the Thadou tribe in the state, has demanded that authorities remove the term “Kuki” from the nomenclature “Thadou-Kuki” across all educational curricula. Instead, the organisation has called for the language to be officially referred to only as “Thadou.”

At present, the “Thadou-Kuki” language features as a Modern Indian Language (MIL) in the curriculum and academic materials of several institutions in Manipur. These include the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BOSEM), the Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (COHSEM), and Manipur University.

Meanwhile, RTI replies received in December 2025 revealed discrepancies in government records. Although official documents recognise “Thadou” as a distinct tribe in Manipur, several records wrongly use the terms “Thadou-Kuki” or “Kuki.” As a result, the inconsistencies have led to confusion and misrepresentation.

In a memorandum submitted to the Governor of Manipur, the TIM urged the state government to correct the nomenclature used in school and university curricula. The organisation stated that the hybrid term “Thadou-Kuki” has no historical basis. Moreover, it argued that political forces imposed the term.

According to the TIM, the label violates the distinct ethnic, cultural, and linguistic identity of the Thadou people. The community holds recognition as a Scheduled Tribe and has its own recorded history and language.

Furthermore, the TIM strongly opposed the continued use of “Thadou-Kuki” as a Modern Indian Language in materials prepared by SCERT, BOSEM, COHSEM, Manipur University, and other academic institutions. The organisation said the misnaming misleads students. It added that the practice undermines academic integrity and results in the misidentification of the Thadou community.

The organisation also pointed out that the impact of this mislabeling intensified after the May 3, 2023, violence in Manipur. During the unrest, attackers targeted and displaced Thadou people. At the same time, generic classification under the “Kuki” label led to their misrepresentation as part of warring groups.

Calling the issue a long-standing historical blunder, the TIM demanded immediate correction in official and academic records. The organisation stressed that accurate naming remains crucial for ethnic clarity and cultural justice. It further said correct nomenclature is essential for academic honesty and lasting peace in Manipur.

The Thadou people form one of the major indigenous tribal groups in Manipur and maintain a distinct language and cultural identity. While they share ancestral and cultural ties with related communities in Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland, and Myanmar, the community has consistently asserted its separate identity. In particular, it has distanced itself from the broader, politically coined “Kuki” label.