Meitei social media users lashed out at Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing the exam body of bias and demanding the question be scrapped.
BY PC Bureau
August 17, 2025 — A competitive Assam exam question set by the state’s Public Service Commission has sparked outrage among sections of the Meitei community in Manipur, after it directly asked candidates whether armed groups such as Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun have been accused of committing human rights abuses in the state.
The controversial question, part of a General Studies paper of the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) , came at a time when ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities remain raw. Many Meitei social media users slammed the question as “biased” and “politically motivated,” arguing that it unfairly portrayed community-based organisations as human rights violators.
APSC ADO exam for 2025 was conducted on August 10, with the General Studies paper held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by the Agriculture paper from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Meiteis React
The anger spilled onto social media platforms:
Twitter (X) user @JohnnyMeetei wrote:
“Is this for real @himantabiswa?? Looks like APSC is infiltrated by Burmese Chin Kukis. Dear Himanta Da, how can you allow this right in front of your eyes? While we are supporting your fight against Bangladeshi miyas, your govt seems to support illegal immigrants from Myanmar. Apologise and make this particular Q null & void.”
Is this for real @himantabiswa ??
Looks like APSC is infiltrated by Burmese chin kukis.
Dear Himanta Da,how can you allow this right in front of your eyes?
While we are supporting your fight against Bangladeshi miyas, your govt seems to support illegal immigrants from Myanmar.… pic.twitter.com/Nn9Roxs8Gh— JJohnnymeitei (@JohnnyMeetei) August 15, 2025
Another user, @PLangpoklakam, echoed the sentiment, writing:
“Looks like APSC is infiltrated by Burmese Chin Kukis. Dear Himanta Da, how can you allow this right in front of your eyes? While we are supporting your fight against Bangladeshi miyas, your govt seems to support illegal immigrants from Myanmar. Apologise and make this particular Q null & void.”
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Both posts tagged Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directly, holding him responsible for what they see as an institutional slight against the Meitei community by naming them in an Assam exam paper.
The Assam exam question reflected on the ethnic violence that broke out in Manipur in May 2023, which primarily involved the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Reports from human rights groups and independent fact-finding teams have indeed accused armed outfits — including Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun — of being involved in violent incidents. However, their naming in an official state-level exam has now become a flashpoint, seen by many Meiteis as a direct attack on their community.
Demand for Retraction
Several voices online have called on the Assam government and the APSC to issue an apology and nullify the question. They argue that including such a sensitive issue in a public service examination amounts to “propaganda” and risks deepening ethnic divides.
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As the controversy gathers steam, all eyes are on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s response, with community leaders in Manipur warning that silence may be interpreted as complicity.
