Dimapur, Nov 23 (MExN): Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University G.D Sharma stressed the need to combine human value systems, cultural and traditional systems, and globalised systems with the legal system so that strong pillars of justice for ‘fearless’ society can be built. He was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of the 3rd general conference of the Nagaland Law Students’ Federation (NLSF) at the North East Zonal Cultural Centre (NEZCC), 4th mile at Dimapur today.
Criticizing the judgements passed these days Sharma mentioned that there is ‘no value system in the judgement’ but that it has become more ‘a process of physical system rather than human value system’. He pointed out that with the degradation of human values, negative factors starts functioning to the detriment of the society while Lamenting that our modern society is fast becoming a society based on individual developments, abilities, and potentials have made us selfish beings and thus brought about head on conflict between our modern and traditional society. He thus pointed out the need to combine human value systems, cultural and traditional systems, and globalised systems so that strong pillars of justice for a ‘fearless’ Naga society can be built.
He stressed the need to bring customary Naga laws into modern education so that these value systems, which had been able to control society can, become a part of a legal system that will in turn maintain tradition as well as develop Naga society in tune with the rapid changes being brought about by globalization.
C. Jajo Aier, an advocate practising in Kohima, dwelt upon the topic “Human rights, Naga Women in Contemporary Naga Society and Possible Prospective for a State Human Right Group”.
Jajo described Human rights as “The right of every human being, regardless of their standing or sex, to develop to the full potential of what he/she ought to be”. She went on and said that we should view problems and issues confronting us through the prism of what our culture has taught us and also through the prism of human rights which should underline our approach to bring solutions for a ‘Just Naga society’.
Jajo expressed agony at the news, particularly of rape and murder reported regularly in local newspapers and where such cases were settled after ‘monetary compensations’. She pointed out that earlier ‘we’ could simply wash our hands off these instances by placing blame on ‘those outsiders perpetrating the crime’. But, she stated, “theses days we cannot do the same as we (Nagas) have become the perpetrators of crime against our own selves (Nagas)”.
Relating to the issue of Naga women in contemporary society she stated that many say and think that Naga women are almost are as free as men and is given a free rein over what they can do.
“But the happenings does not speak of any good health of (Naga) women” she affirmed and pointed out that ‘till today a Naga women cannot inherit ancestral property or land’, ‘has no voice in traditional bodies’, and also that Naga customary laws framed by men and pro-men have many instances where women are belittled and discriminated.
She was of the view that women should be allowed to make decisions within and outside the family, be given voice in traditional bodies and be given parts in the village councils. Jajo also voiced the necessity to form a ‘Women Commission’ in Nagaland.
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