Guwahati, September 17 (MExN): A group of academics, writers and civil society members from Assam has condemned the alleged humiliation and intimidation of Prof Dolly Kikon and Prof Sanjay Barbora at Nagaland House in New Delhi on September 15.
In a statement issued by 38 signatories said Kikon had been invited by the Naga Scholars’ Association (NSA) to screen her documentary, A Sacred Place, and interact with students and scholars at the Conference Hall of Nagaland House.
After the programme, while students and scholars were interacting with Prof Kikon near the reception area, a staff member allegedly ordered the gathering to leave aggressively. When Barbora objected to their treatment, the staff member confronted him and challenged him to a physical altercation, the statement said.
The signatories alleged that the manager of Nagaland House defended the staff member instead of defusing the situation, and Kikon, despite identifying herself as an invited resource person, was treated with disrespect and repeatedly asked to leave. The academic gathering was described as a “nuisance” and a “disruption,” they said.
“We strongly condemn this conduct,” the signatories said, adding that the treatment of the two scholars, who have worked for decades with students across Northeast India, demands serious attention from the Government of Nagaland.
They called upon the Government of Nagaland to take immediate cognisance of the incident, institute a transparent inquiry into the conduct of the officials and staff concerned, and take appropriate action based on its findings.
They also demanded an “unqualified apology” to Kikon and Barbora and proper training for public-facing officials and staff at Nagaland House to deal with guests, students and the public with professionalism and respect.
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