Some of those who voted YES had this to say:
• Yes. Women like Mamata Banerjee, Jayalalitha, Mayawati (a Dalit), Shiela Dixit, Sushma Swaraj need not any reservation. Margaret Thatcher of UK, Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir of Israel did not need any reservation. Naga women should also earn their own spurs. Organize and mobilize public rallies. Learn something from Mamata Banerjee and others, although at times they dismally faltered. Those who clamor for reservation are not likely to qualify to lead the society. Yes, some can start contesting municipal elections. They have to go house to house and organize rallies promising regular electricity, water supply etc.
• Yes, with no right to ancestral properties how can women be in decision making bodies? Maybe it’s possible in urban areas but not in rural which is still very much patriarchal in nature.
• Women in Nagaland have veto power to take 100% decisions in all spheres. Thus the men folk respect the women and allow (them) to interfere in all the activities. If we allow them 33% reservation, it seems we are allowing them to enjoy 133% over men folk. Therefore, the decision made by Naga HOHO is 1000% correct.
• Yes. It’s premature implementing a law before we know the implications. Mind you, I'm not against reservation for women but further studies or observation was required before this was forced down the entire state!
• Yes... No need of reservation…
• Yes. Many Nagas from Nagaland state are half educated and does not meet the standard of the Europeans in 1890s taking the comparison with countries of say Scandinavia or Sweden to be precise we very much need intellectual empowerment and educational reform rather than the 33pc bill, reservation will come automatically after the restructuring of our educational policy which will serve all economic roots.
• Yes, women's demand for 33% reservation is contradictory to their claim as equal to men.
• Yes. How many Naga women had contested elections in the past? 33%? Reservation or not, I do not remember many women who contest. Who is stopping them?? You have not jumped into the pond. Nobody is stopping you to contest. You only have to prove your mettle. Women could be more meticulous and transparent with public funds. Still you have to convince the masses with your ability. It's no use crying before the milk is spilt.
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• No. Nagas want and fight for reservation everywhere but when it is in their capacity to give to their own, they are hesitant. Look at our present government. Oppositionless, takes less than 15 minutes to discuss affairs of the State, spineless with no decision-making abilities, old farts who look down on young blood as if age determines an individual's capacity to play politics. And we have subordinate political bodies like Hoho who come and pass political judgments as if their views are absolute. Seriously since when did pressure groups have so much authority as to dictate how a State should function?
• We treat women equally in most parts of Nagaland but shall we look at the political field as well as the administrative setups at every level of our society. There is zero representation at political level and just few women here and there in the administration. 33% reservation is not a 'Pulling Down' for men rather it is just a 'Pulling up' of women to be par with menfolks. Men if you love your women, make way for women... Naga HoHo says premature, I say HoHo is Hopeless
• No. It is time women are given a chance to lead and work for the upliftment of society.
• Naga is an emerging nation so to strengthen the Naga nation empowerment of both genders is deemed necessary, because of we are weak; we are under suppression of foreigners, socio political, economic and spiritual empowerment is must to them. Demand of 33% reservation should be accepted. Strengthening of Naga women will boost up the Naga national growth.
• I seriously don't agree with where Naga Hoho is standing at.
• Everyone is created equal. Give everyone the chance to prove themselves. This is the 21st century not the 16th century. NO.
• No. Menfolk have failed the Nagas miserably. It’s time that women should be given a place they deserve. Menfolk should change our mindset.
• The 33% reservation for women cannot be considered premature in Naga society… The apex body of the Nagas sound too clumsy and narrow. Time to think outside the box.
• No.... Totally do not agree with the HOHO or the tribal unions...
• Though I do wonder where all the MOTHER associations are.... Expecting them to come out full gun blazing against the male chauvinist Hohos and unions.
• I don't agree with Naga Hoho at this. It’s their constitutional right and no one should stop. We always say that in our society we give equal rights to women but i feel it is not in every front like decision bodies etc especially when it comes to rural area.
• Hell no. Let women folk too contribute their part for the growth of Nagas. Y make b******t excuses every now and then.
• As far I can compare with rest of the states in India Naga people don't need this reservation. Thumbs down to NH for saying such statement I ll say they are premature NH. Nagaland state don't need this reservation when in our land we all enjoy gender equality just for few we cannot say female in our society is dominated.
• No. By Naga Hoho own assertion that 33% reservation is premature justify more that women needs reservation. Under Indian system of governance, legislation for reservation is made to correct historical injustice met to certain section of the society. Looking back at Naga history, none of the Naga tribes can claim that they have treated their women equally. Some may say Naga women has come of age and are at par with their male counterpart, with exception of few I think they are yet to because the day women achieved parity this reservation will be redundant and the law will have to be abolish. A caveat, Look at the statement of JACFWR during the initial days of debate on the issue of reservation, the immaturity of the members of JACFWR was in full public view. What are they, 1. As against the claim of JACFWR, No where the Indian constitution says women reservation supersede article 371 A, look article 243 P part IX A it start with, "unless the context otherwise require " where as 371 A start with " no act of parliament ... shall apply to the state of Nagaland unless ..... NLA so decides. Some say reservation have nothing to do with 371A, don't lie, look at 18 subject assign to urban local bodies, see 12 schedule of Indian constitution. 2. JACFWR has given a call on all women bodies to select their choice of candidate through consensus, do they really know what is consensus, and leaving aside the menfolk they started the process from amongst themselves. Am I lying, ask the womenfolk, ask the committee. Given this immaturity, they needed to elect new leaders who will no commit blunder.
• No...It should be… It isn’t an act of foolishness by the govt but it is an act of Democracy and equality ...
• NO, Naga Hoho lives in the past still. It is because of traditional outlook of our leaders (male chauvinist) that we lack behind others. Grow up Naga Hoho. Even if we allow 33%reservation to women we (men) won't lose much of anything. For a change let women also be part of law making body.
• No. but its only in politics that woman are a little left behind. In other sectors or other side of coin women are becoming more and more involved and better than their counterparts man dominated society like in education, sports (this Olympic 2016), even in competitive exams etc… So in my opinion it’s like beggars asking for 33% reservation whereas our women in our present Naga society even without this reservation our women can fight for their rights through their own ability and capabilities and shows the entire world what they are capable of.
• No. We the Nagas need everyone to contribute in all spheres of nation building. Women have shown their worth in most spheres but in decision making archaic social norms prevent their full and positive contribution. This reservation will be a pathway to correct this historical anomaly. Guess the Naga hoho is being used by their political masters who are scared that women will do a better job thus exposing their incompetence. And those who agree with the hoho are scared little boys afraid of the future. Kuknalim!
• No, I don't agree with the Naga Hoho's statement. It only goes on to show their immaturity and nothing else. Their observation of 33% reservation for women as 'pre-mature' shows that they are still stuck with time and that they haven't moved on. The word 'pre-mature' would have made some sense, if it was in the earlier centuries but now? Come on, this is 21st century!
• No, I don't agree with the word "pre-mature". However, our women are excelling in ever field and they are capable of competing with man without reservation. By reservation, it sounds like our women are lacking behind or backward.
• No, do not agree with Naga Hoho in this matter. Do Naga Hoho know when the Naga society and the Naga women will become mature? Implementation of 33% or above reservation for women in the State assembly is to make it mature, to human face, the Naga society and the Naga women community. Empowerment of Naga women is a necessity, socio-politico economically. Can a man be reckoned as a strong man and perfect being without a limb or paralyzed limb? So the Naga society is. Struggling Naga nation needs empowerment for all genders desperately so that all Naga young and old, female and male can live as the effective instruments of God, the Almighty. Asking Naga Hoho to review their view in the interest of the majority of the Nagas.
• No. Why forcefully uphold constructed laws and practices that give undue rights and authority to men... For such people any kind of change is pre-mature if it is against their selfish interest. If fact, the don’t have any reasonable reason to explain...
Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say:
• There are thousands of reasons to accommodate women however thousands of reasons will never bE enough to change the pre-mature leaders.
• Will it not be better to have an efficient woman rather than inefficient man in decision making?
In a democratic country everyone both genders are equal and specially in all the Naga inhabited areas, our society is the anal of all democracy. So I think there is no need for any special reservation as there is no prohibition for female to participate in all arena of life in our society, rather I think they are already got more than what they are demanding for… I am not totally against their demand but I feel it’s not that necessary for a special reservation.
• No Reservation needed. I guess womanfolks are not restricted to contest elections? If so, then why reservation or quota bill.
• Why Naga Hoho and other group are against 33 % reservation? Women are also part of the Hoho. It’s for Naga in general irrespective of age and sex and not only for some male fellow office bearers.
• All the outdated guys are representing HOHO that’s why afraid to upgrade realistic Act to make a better future
• Better to do away with the word 'RESERVATION'.
• I think the women should be given a chance to enter into politics. The recent cabinet decision is the gateway. Nagaland has come across many elections and women have in no way fared well except for Rano M and some few. It clearly demonstrates the need that women are inferior in Nagaland when it comes to politics. Thus the inclusiveness of women folks in politics demands reservation. If at all there should be women in politics, reservation at the moment becomes a necessity. Nagaland being the safest place for women in India should be a role model state to showcase the status of women not just in politics but transcending beyond.
• No doubt we are all brothers (so called)… But why should Nagas from beyond Nagaland should also have a say as in every major discussions regarding to Nagaland’s affairs.
• As much as woman want equality man want equality let there be free n fair election after all Naga woman say man n woman are equal.
• I think it should also start from village council level. Perhaps any measures should be welcomed at this juncture were the governance of all institutions are in a pathetic mess in our land. If the reservation causes a positive change for our society then shame on us man. Let us only hope that the seats are not filled up with the wives of politicians and bureaucrats. By the way free and fair election is a relative term...since only those who have money and muscle power seems to win every time.
• Naga Hoho’s contention of premature is nothing but expression of their immaturity for the reasons that women are not going to polls for gaonburas or dobashis but town council members only. And this in no way infringes our customary system. Why don’t the Naga Hoho and Ao Senden realize that Town Councillors and Administrative heads of GBs and DBs are often women officers? If they are so serious on customary practice then they should be opposing this in the first place.
• We have seen performances of menfolk in the State assembly for the last 50 years and they have failed the Nagas miserably. It’s time that we should give chance to women folk to join the Govt and run the govt in partnership with menfolk particularly Depts. of Education, Health and Family, Social Welfare, Food and Supply, RD. Menfolk are all corrupt to the core.
• For Naga Hoho and some male chauvinist, to give 33% reservation to women will always remain premature. They are the pre mature ones. They are very scared that women will dominate politics ultimately and improve the whole system in Nagaland.
• In Nagaland we don't need 33% reservation for women. Everyone is treated equally here. From the time of our forefathers women are treated equally with man.
• Outwardly or theoretically may be everyone is equal but historically Naga was never an egalitarian society.
• If the truth be told, there's no use of such reservation on this issue or any other. It's long overdue that we do away with reservation system if we're to compete for the best with the world. So also, our prevailing system on this issue is better where anyone, be it woman or man, has the right to exercise his/ her democratic rights provided he/ she is capable. There is always that 100% quota for both men and women in our society today but once somebody is pushed in to occupy a seat out of such reservations, there will be negative impacts in the long run. Above all, it will be a curse to misinterpret that men and women are created equal, etc. on religious grounds. We must know that our responsibilities are different in many spheres of our life on earth. It's baseless to argue that we're in the 21st century where both men & women can do similar jobs et al. Yes, some can but it's not all. And apart from that, men will remain men and women too, as women. Let us not bring in a foreign, cursed class system but go accordingly as we're advised by Him.
• For the NH or other NGOs or any other Think Tankers, the word "premature" is no excuse to oppose 33% reservation for woman (esp. in Nagaland) with deep rooted traditional & customary laws. Just because some local Pam, Nick & Mary passed this and that exam or, achieved and wrote this and that book we cannot present them this "33%" just like that. Both for our present and future generations, Naga womenfolk have more important role to play but without sitting on that 33% seats. Also, just because of the oppositionless govt. we have here, TR Zeliang must not act by taking advantage of the present political situation. By doing so, TRZ may commit a political blunder likely to bring him political shame and personal shame. Ours is a family of patrilineal system with complicated multi-tribal society. So no need to bring more headache and division among us. Many of us Nagas are too myopic in sight but whatever Naga Hoho is seeing is very, very far sighted and visionary.
