Kohima, September 25 (MExN): The Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, citing apprehension of disturbance to public order as well as Article 371 (A), has officially issued an order denying denied permission for the holding of the Gau Dhwaj Yatra (promotion of a ban on cow slaughter) event in Kohima district. The order was issued following directives from the State Government.
“Pursuant to the directives received from the State Government, the Gau Dhwaj Yatra (promotion of a ban on cow slaughter) shall not be allowed in Kohima district on account of apprehension of disturbance to public order and in view of the provisions contained in para (1) (a) (i) of Article 371 (A) of the Constitution of India,” stated the order issued by the DC of Kohima on September 25.
Article 371A deals with special provisions with respect to the State of Nagaland, and the concerned section cited in the order safeguards Naga religious and social practices. 9
It must be noted that following reports of the “Gau Dhwaj Sthapna Bharat Yatra” being scheduled in Kohima on September 28, there was a significant outcry from various quarters in Nagaland, including political parties and civil society organizations.
Accordingly, in its meeting on September 11, the State Cabinet decided not to grant permission for holding the event, citing the maintenance of public order. The Cabinet also underscored the protections given under Article 371(A), particularly Naga religious and social practices, as well as its customary laws and procedures.
The Yatra is part of the Gau Pratishtha Andolan, a movement aimed at elevating the cow to the status of 'Rashtra Mata' (Mother of the Nation) by moving cow protection from the State List to the Union List in the Constitution, and to make “India free of cow slaughter”
Its nationwide tour reportedly commenced on September 22 and will run until October 26. In Kohima, an installation of the Gau Dhwaj at the Gau Mahasabha was scheduled from 9 AM to 12 PM on September 28, according to a release from the organiser.
Defiance?
Despite denial of permission to hold the event, it was learnt that Jagadguru Shankaracharya Maharaj is scheduled to arrive in Dimapur airport on September 26 by a “charter plane” on September 26. Thereafter, there is plan to install a “cow flag” demanding to declare cow as the “mother of the nation and to enact a central law to stop cow slaughter.”
Meanwhile, official sources said they would go ‘according to the rules’ as the State Government has already denied permission. “The State government has already stated that the procession will not be allowed, we will go according to the rules,” a source added.
