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DIMAPUR — The Ao Senden and Sümi Hoho have condemned the recent statement made by Advisor of School Education Dr. Kekhrielhoutuo Yhome, which proposed a ten-year ban on recruitment of government primary teachers from the Ao and Sumi tribes based on linguistic grounds.
In a joint press statement, the Ao Senden and Sümi Hoho said Yhome’s statement has sparked outrage within the two communities and that the “discriminatory proposal” raises serious constitutional and ethical questions.
The two tribal bodies asserted that nowhere in the Indian Constitution is an advisor empowered to make decisions that disproportionately affect specific tribal communities' employment opportunities. Such actions not only undermine the principles of equality enshrined in the Constitution but also perpetuate division within the society, they asserted.
“We call upon the Nagaland government to clarify whether Dr. Yhome's statement represents official policy. If so, the government must provide a transparent explanation for such a discriminatory policy.
“However, if it does not reflect government policy, then Dr. Yhome should publicly retract his statement. His biased remarks not only sow division but also undermine the credibility of the education department, a department vital for shaping our future generation,” the Ao Senden and Sümi Hoho iterated.
While condemning Yhome's “persistence in justifying and reiterating his statement” despite the widespread condemnation from student organisations and the affected tribal communities, the two apex tribal bodies went on to assert that they firmly endorse the press statements issued by the Central Nagaland Students' Association (CNSA), Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) and Sümi Kiphimi Küqhakulu (SKK).
“It is imperative to acknowledge the significant contributions of the Ao and Sumi tribes to Nagaland's educational landscape. The Sumi tribe, with its vast number of villages spanning seven districts and the Ao tribe, being one of the major tribes with a sizable population and willing to go and serve in any parts of the state, have undoubtedly contributed substantially to the teaching profession in government primary schools across the state,” the joint statement read.
Further, the two tribal bodies urged legislators representing the Ao and Sumi tribes to swiftly address this issue and clarify whether Yhome's statement reflects the state government’s policy or his “personal opinion.”
“As representatives of the Ao and Sumi populace, it is your (legislators) duty to safeguard the rights and opportunities of the people you serve. We hold the legislators of the Ao and Sumi tribes accountable for any adverse effects resulting from the unjust denial of employment opportunities for our qualified and deserving youth,” the statement added.