CM appeals tribe hohos to reconsider stand

Kohima, Jan. 24: Chief Minister TR Zeliang has appealed to the tribal organisations opposing the holding of elections to the urban local bodies with 33% reservation of seats for women to reconsider their stand and to let the elections go ahead as scheduled.

“And even if they (tribal bodies) cannot change their views and opinions on the issue, I request them at least, not to try to impose their views and opinions on others through threats and intimidation,” the chief minister said while speaking at a function commemorating the National Girl Child Day here at the Capital Convention Centre in Kohima.

Zeliang said that the whole country has gone ahead with 33% women reservation but in Nagaland, men went against it and even women are being influenced to go against women reservation. He reminded that before the state government went ahead with its decision to implement the reservation, it had held consultation with Naga Hoho, ENPO and all the tribe organizations and asked them what they wanted to change in the state Municipal Act. He said the Ao Senden had asked to remove the ‘land and building tax’, the Angami Public Organization wanted the ‘Scheduled Caste’ to be removed, and the government had complied.
He said after the consultation, the ENPO and Lotha Hoho have issued press statements declaring that they welcomed the 33% women reservation, but after three months, they started objecting it.

“Of late, Nagaland has been witnessing many ugly situations on the issue of women reservation in urban local bodies. Those who are opposing women reservation often say that in Naga society, women are treated on equal terms, and suffer no discrimination or hardships, and therefore, there is no need for women reservation. In my opinion, this is only partially true,” Zeliang stated.

He pointed out that in the area of politics, or public policy making, Naga women have never been given equal role or responsibility, and this was accepted as part of our tradition and customary practices.

“In traditional institutions like the village councils, the situation remains largely the same even today. However, if we are to fully empower our women, or if we are to make better use of the talents and energies of our highly educated and enlightened women resource, and enable them to contribute more towards the progress and development of our society, there is definitely a case for having more women representation and participation in policy making bodies, at least in non-traditional institutions, like the State Legislative Assembly and ULBs,” he asserted.

He cited that as in reservation of government jobs and seats in technical education for the backward tribes and communities which the people have accepted as a necessity, there is also a need for some affirmative actions to get Naga women in position in at least non-traditional policy making bodies, like ULBs.

He also mentioned that ever since the inception of statehood, Nagaland did not have any woman legislator, and underscored the need to have reservation for women so that they can be part of the decision-making process in the state.

“People are talking about men and women being equal, but they are not equal. Women cannot fight with men- financially, physically, mentally,” he said, and added, that is how reservation of seats has become a necessity in our society. He went on to cite more examples that if women are to play football or wrestling against men, they (women) could not win.

The chief minister also pointed out that almost everyone is now talking about Article 371(A), a special provision enshrined in the Constitution of India.

“We proclaim that Naga history is unique, because of our rich culture and tradition or customary law. The government of India had also recognised that Naga history is unique. However, in the prevailing situation, some tribe organisations have started taking certain actions against our own brothers and sisters, which are not in our customary system,” he lamented and appealed to all not to “misuse our unique customary system, which are well crafted with great wisdom and handed down to us by our ancestors”.

Commenting on the changing times, Zeliang remarked that in the past, women were not allowed to touch machetes, spears or guns, but that today Naga women are in the police force and have earned national laurels for their excellent performance at New Delhi during the Commonwealth Games.