Thadou Students’ Association Condemns Kuki SoO Groups’ “Illegal Diktat”, Reaffirms Celebration of Thadou Hun Festival in Assam

Imphal, March 26, 2025 – The Thadou Students’ Association (TSA) has issued a strong condemnation against what it describes as “illegal and undemocratic diktats” by Kuki SoO groups in Assam, including UKDA, KRA, and KLA, aimed at obstructing the upcoming Hun-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025, scheduled for April 4 in Guwahati.

In a media release, TSA slammed the recent statement by Kuki Inpi Assam (KIA), calling it an unconstitutional attempt to interfere in the cultural affairs of the Thadou community. The association emphasized that such directives violate fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution, including freedom of speech, expression, and peaceful coexistence.

Reiterating the distinct identity of the Thadou people, TSA stated that the Thadou community is constitutionally and culturally separate from the Kuki. “As an indigenous community of Assam with deep-rooted presence and history, we reject any forced association with the ‘Kuki’,” the release read.

The TSA dismissed KIA’s claim that the Hun festival is harmful to Kuki unity as “baseless”, asserting that the festival is a rightful cultural expression of the Thadou people and will be celebrated as planned. The association urged the Assam and Union governments to take legal action against those issuing threats and to ensure the safety of the event.

“No militant outfit, self-proclaimed authority, or external organization has the right to dictate or suppress Thadou cultural events,” the statement stressed, calling upon all peace-loving citizens and law enforcement agencies to support the community in resisting any coercive actions.

The release concluded with a reaffirmation that Hun 2025 would proceed as planned, and a call to all Thadou community members and well-wishers to participate and make it a grand success.

Statement from Thadou Convention 2024:

“Thadou is a distinct ethnic group of people. Thadou is not Kuki, or underneath Kuki, or part of Kuki, but a separate, independent entity from Kuki… Any organization that incorporates ‘Thadou’ but espouses Kuki and mis-portrays Thadou as Kuki or a part of Kuki is illegitimate and does not represent Thadou people and interest.”