The Mizo community in the Jampui Hills is seething in anger as the TTAADC used a highly derogatory term for them in an question paper. The Mizos demanded immediate explanation from the TTAADC as to why they used the term for them.
The Mizo Convention Youth Wing of Jampui Hills in a strongly worded statement said in the competitive examination for the post of TTAADC’s Sub Zonal Development Officer on Sunday at Khumulung they saw “a racially charged, controversial and stereotypical question was incorporated in the question paper”.
Question no. 75 of Set A of the exam paper reads: Which tribal community in Tripura are known as ‘Sikam’? (a) Mogs(b) Halam-Kuki(c) Tripura (d) Reangs.
The word ‘Sikam’ is a corrupted, derogatory and stereotypical term used by some communal minded to call the ‘Kuki-Halam-Lushai (Mizo)’ tribes.
The statement said , “The most probable answer to the above question is (b) Halam-Kuki, as it is the derogatory remark about Mizo, or Halam-Kuki people employed by the Brus, or a few tribes”.
The Mizo Convention pointed out that the term ‘Sikam is highly offensive’ and it carries derogatory connotation, employed in a manner that ‘suggests a racial slur towards the Halam-Kuki (Mizo) community by certain individuals’.
“Additionally, this label used to refer the Halam-Kuki (Mizo) people is restrictive, and the community does not resonate with this misleading term. It is only a minority of individuals from a few tribes who may use it within the vulgar context. Therefore, the inclusion of question …which obviously is a derogatory remark in a prestigious competitive exam conducted by TTAADC is unacceptable and inappropriate”.
The statement added: “We strongly demand that the TTAADC addresses the issue at hand with immediate urgency, furnishing a comprehensive explanation for the inclusion of the highly objectionable question that has significantly affected the sentiments of the particular community”.
“Furthermore, we seek clarification from the examiners”, the statement said adding that it reflected their “lack of respect towards other communities and their disregard for cultural sensitivity and inclusivity”.
A Mizo elder from Jampui Hills said , “It is surprising and uncalled for whoever is responsible for inclusion of this question in the recently held ZDO Examination organised by the TTAADC. It’s an indication and confirmation that the current Tipra Motha-led TTAADC government has been working day in and day out against the particular group of tribe, which is microscopic as compared to other majority tribes”.
He added: Henceforth, the targeted Kuki-Halam-Lushai (Mizo) group of tribe found no social acceptance, safe political playing field, and survival of its identity within the current TTAADC unless it has been reformed. (sic)
