The Thadou Students’ Association (TSA) has dismissed a complaint made against social activist Ashang Kasar as “baseless,” claiming it misuses the Thadou community’s name and seeks to heighten ethnic tensions in Manipur. The complaint, filed by Lungoulen Guite, who identifies as the general secretary of Thadou Inpi Sadar Hills, calls for an FIR against Kasar over alleged misleading statements regarding the killings of two Kuki men during a television program aired on March 12. The complaint cites Sections 196 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, arguing that Kasar’s remarks could inflame community tensions and distort facts surrounding the incident.
The TSA stated that the events in Kamjong district have no relation to the Thadou community and accused Guite’s complaint of exploiting a tragic incident for political gain. They challenged Guite’s authority to represent the Thadou community and labeled his organization as a “fraudulent, unrecognised proxy outfit” that has been criticized for promoting “Kuki supremacist agendas.” The association defended Kasar’s comments as necessary discussions on the inter-community tensions and characterized the allegations of misleading statements as a “deliberate distortion aimed at suppressing open discourse.”
Furthermore, the TSA cautioned that invoking legal provisions against critics could misrepresent the legal process and occasion intimidation. They alleged that certain groups invoke the Thadou identity to create confusion amid ethnic disputes, aimed at “muddying the waters and exploiting tensions.” The TSA reaffirmed that the Thadou community has a distinct identity and heritage that cannot be exploited for political ends. Labeling the complaint as “identity theft, harassment, and an assault on free speech,” the TSA urged Guite and others to cease misrepresenting the Thadou community. They affirmed their commitment to preserving Thadou autonomy, dignity, and rights while supporting peace and constitutional values in Manipur, emphasizing that “the Thadou voice belongs solely to the Thadou people, not proxies or opportunists.”