Neidonuo Angami
As a responsible citizen, I have been keenly watching the on-going legal and political battle between the Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation (JACWR) and the Government of Nagaland for quite some time. Even after a series of court hearings and judgments, the legal battle continues and one can only hope that justice prevails. Having said that, one cannot stop thinking of what went wrong and what can be done now. I have few points that I want to place before the public. But, before I venture into the nitty-gritty of the issue, I would like to register my strong support for the cause of women empowerment and representation in decision-making and power sharing.
Looking back, I feel that some of the problems could have been avoided had the warring parties took a more sensible and mature approach towards the whole issue.
First, the Nagaland Government’s hasty decision to pass the resolution on the 33% women reservation in Local and Municipal bodies was a politically immature and insensible move. This is because there is a larger debate taking place in the entire country on the same issue and this should have prompted Nagaland to study the issue more in-depth. The Nagaland Government’s eagerness to pass the bill in 2006 without taking into the confidence of the people has brought the legal battle on the issue in the first place. Some prior consultations with different stakeholders, particularly, the tribal hohos, the village councils, the women organizations, and other civil societies could have provided a more prudent action. Consultations were done only after the hue and cry from some tribal and village organizations in 2011.
Second, the State Assembly’s bizarre and completely unexpected turn-around in rejecting the 33% women reservation Bill (enacted by itself) in the 12th session of the 11th State Assembly by a voice vote was another blunder. It was unbecoming of an esteemed institution. The Assembly passing and rejecting the Bill speak volumes of the representatives of the people. It was a mockery to our democracy.
Third, the Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation (JACWR) has every right to demand from the government to enact and implement the Bill. However, the approach taken to fight the battle was not in good taste. I sincerely feel that before going to the court, the JACWR should have approached the tribal hohos, village’s councils and other organizations and motivate them on the issue of women reservation. To seek legal justice without seeking the support of our men folk was an error of judgment. In our society, there are sensible and rational men who would be willing to go the extra mile for the cause of women empowerment.
Fourth, it was also baseless for Naga Hoho and Eastern Nagaland People Organization (ENPO) and tribal organizations to drag in Article 371 (A) into the debate of women reservation. Women reservation does not infringe the legal rights enshrined in Article 371 (A). The said Article can remain sacrosanct in the entire debate of the women reservation. With the change of time, situation demands women's participation in the decision-making bodies at all levels.
Women's empowerment is fundamental for any society to progress. No society can make advance by discriminating and segregating a section of their population.
Why are we so reluctant to share some space in the municipal and town councils, which have only limited powers and jurisdictions in the power structure of the state? Why are the state government, hohos and councils so insecure to have two or three members in their municipal and town councils, meant for the development of their towns and local areas? Why do we not accept the fact that today there are women as Head of the State in many countries? The sheer advancement of women in every field is a clear example of how women can contribute to the society at large.
I hope, good sense will prevail among our legislatures, the JACWR, the tribal hohos, the village councils and other stakeholders before more damage is done for the interest of women and the entire Nagas. Women's participation in the decision-making bodies is in the interest of the present and future generation of our society.
