It was of little surprise that the DAN government had to come up with such a short-sighted policy of 25% reservation of government jobs exclusively for the 6 (six) tribes belonging to the districts of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng and Kipheri. Blame it all on the forthcoming assembly elections. The DAN government couldn’t have chosen a better timing than the present keeping in mind the impending election that is just five months away.
Reservation finds mention in Articles 15 and 16 of the Indian Constitution, wherein it has been specifically mentioned that reservation is to be granted to “socially and educationally” backward classes and NOT to “either socially or educationally” backward classes. The people of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng and Kipheri may be educationally backward but they have never been socially backward as they have always been close to power. We have seen from the four districts ministers, top bureaucrats and high profile leaders. In the light of the above, the policy had committed gross violation of the basic tenets of the Constitution.
Pochury, as a recognized tribe, is yet to get a ministerial berth, our presence in the bureaucratic set up is negligible and there are hardly high profile leaders. (No community should feel offended as the writer is only intended at making a comparative study). And to be stripped of our right to equal treatment in order to appease another community is nothing short of meting out a step-motherly treatment. To treat two unequals as equal causes as much injustice as to treat two equals unequally. This is only one side of the story. The other two tribes, Chakehesang and Zeliang, may also similarly weave their own part of the story. Now, would the DAN government still care to show the same benevolence and provide us with another such special reservation policy? By acceding to the demands of certain group in such a manner, without going into the ground realities, the present government has set a bad precedence whereby we may witness more of such demands in future, even from the advanced tribes.
Democracy, as in Lincoln’s words, is “a government of the people, by the people and for the people”. However, the kind of democracy we see in the present time is nothing but a farce where people are elected through use of the most undemocratic means. Therefore, being elected members does not necessarily mean that every cabinet’s decision reflects the interest of the majority. Your sitting at the helm power should not be taken as a license to monopolize any decision-making. Why was the opinion of other backward tribes not sought while redrawing the reservation map? Are the people of Chakhesang, Pochury and Zeliang any less Naga than the other Nagas?
It can only be concluded that this discriminatory policy of the government, which was done in haste, is a politically motivated decision, which is against the larger interest of the Nagas. This appeasement policy may provide temporary solace to some community but such political games to sub-serve the vested interest may be detrimental to the society in the long run.
Loniwa Pochury, Kohima Town
