Nagaland DGP urges dialogue to break systemic barriers

DIMAPUR — To do away with ‘systemic barriers’ in Nagaland, Director General of Police (DGP), Rupin Sharma on Tuesday stressed the need for Naga society to engage in dialogue on various issues, including the relevance of old customary laws and traditional practices in the present generation.

He was speaking at a seminar on ‘Dismantling systemic barriers,’ organised by the Department of Philosophy, Patkai Christian College (Autonomous), at Bundrock Chapel Hall, to commemorate World Day of Justice.

Addressing the audience, the DGP noted that Article 371(A) is one such systemic barrier that needs extensive debate and discussion- on the essential and non-essential components of customary practices. Based on these deliberations, it is crucial to preserve the practices that were deemed essential and serve as identifying elements for the Naga community, he said.

Sharma opined that the apex bodies should involve the younger generation in these deliberations and collectively assess the relevance of certain customary practices in contemporary times. This, he said, will play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing existing barriers.

Maintaining that wisdom is not solely determined by age, he said the inclusion of the current generation will help the next generation initiate positive changes for the future.

Further, the DGP observed that the teaching methodology in Nagaland is ‘antiquated’ and does not encourage discourse, dialogue, participation, or the sharing of views among individuals.

He said that public schools in Nagaland continue to follow a traditional approach to teaching, where not raising one’s voice in the classroom and not questioning teachers are the norm.

This non-participative approach, he said, is deeply ingrained in Nagaland’s culture, and it undermines overall discourse and dialogue within society. While other cultures around the world may be facing a similar situation, other cultures have developed at a faster rate than Nagaland, he added.

He went on to say that in Nagaland, the quality and quantity of discourse, dialogue, and debate within society were notably subpar. There is a deficiency in both qualitative and quantitative aspects, he said, while conveying that anyone facilitating an open dialogue should be welcomed and supported.

Underscoring the inevitability of change, Sharma said that in the face of new developments, one should avoid automatically assuming that every change is detrimental. One must adapt and accept change, he said, urging people to assess situations and make decisions based on what is good and bad for them.

The decisions about what is good or bad should be collective, rather than dictated by individuals or select groups, he said, adding that absolute equality is a myth and inequality that impedes human progress is where people must intervene.

Earlier in the programme, Principal of Patkai Christian College, Dr. Thepfuvilie Pieru, said in his welcome address that education plays a vital role in challenging changes, stereotypes, and prejudices that perpetuate injustices and inequality.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Wojanbeni S Yanthan, who, quoting Plato, said that “the worst form of justice is pretended justice.” If knowledge is power, we could use it to dismantle systemic barriers and enable social justice, she added.