Dimapur NPYF slams DoNER video for ‘misrepresenting’ Naga Mircha

DIMAPUR — The Dimapur unit of National People’s Youth Front (NPYF)—the youth wing of National People's Party (NPP)—has condemned a recent promotional video released by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), alleging that it misrepresented the GI-tagged Naga Mircha by depicting it with Chinese-style animation and imagery.

The party issued a press release on Monday terming the portrayal “misleading, discriminatory and hurtful” to the Naga community, particularly as Naga Mircha—also known as King Chilli—symbolises the state’s indigenous agricultural heritage.

Any depiction that distorts its identity or links it to another culture, it stated, undermines the dignity and history of those who have cultivated it for generations.

Also read: DoNER draws criticism for AI video misrepresenting Naga people

The NPYF maintained that the use of foreign cultural elements in the government video amounted to cultural misrepresentation, with many community members perceiving it as racist and insensitive.

It called on the Ministry of DoNER to immediately remove the video from all official platforms, issue a clarification and apology, and ensure that future promotional materials involving indigenous products reflect accurate cultural representation through proper consultation with local stakeholders.