Ngukato K Tsuipu
Lazami village
The bone of contention over the issue of 33% women reservation in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) has plagued the headlines of our local Newspapers for quite sometime. Over the past few months, war of words has also been exchanged between the two opposing sides over the contentious issue in question and as such much opinions and thoughts has provoked a salvo of accusation from both sides. Amidst this unruly atmosphere and paper war, a memorable day in the annals of Naga history has been ushered on 24th November 2016 when the 14th session of the 12th NLA revoked 2012 resolution on Women Quota and thereby, clearing the path to hold election in ULBs by applying 33% women reservation. This act, by far, is the smartest and boldest move of the Government under Shri. T.R Zeliang and deserves a standing ovation from every sensible and right thinking citizens of the Land. Yet, one could see a dark cloud over the silver lining as some regressive forces are determined as ever to obstruct its smooth sailing. In the light of the above, it is pertinent to study the origin and making of the Naga Customary Laws and its applicability today.
It is a patent truth that prior to the arrival of the British; Nagas were living a primitive life without an iota of knowledge about modern civilised laws and governance. And then, the British came to our land and imposed on the Nagas the “Red Blanket Administration”. In the process of its expansionist policy, whenever a Naga village was conquered, the Red Blanket was given to a selected few in that village. The Red Blanket men acted as two way traffic viz- (I) As a Representative of his village to the British Govt. and (II) As a Representative of the British Government in his village. Besides the Red Blanket, he was also availed of certain responsibilities and privileges such as Collection of house tax, settlement of petty crimes, imposition of fines and exemption from House tax, commission on House tax that he collected on behalf of the Government etc.
When the British found out that the little responsibilities and privileges extended to a selected few lightened the load of their administrative responsibilities, they created an office of Dobashi and Gaonbura on the lines of the post of “Patwari” of the Mughals and “Mahalwari system of the British India. Like in the case with Patwari and Mahalwari system, the Dobashis and Gaonburas were also gradually recognized as the village (or sometimes villages) headman and in the course of time it became indispensible to the British administration in the Naga Hills of their time and beyond. What amuses me here is, a system which was introduced by the British to tame their Naga subject by modifying another subject’s administrative system is now outrightly and legitimately accepted as Naga Customary Law, even a century after the British’s departure!
A Naga traditional Chiefs and Headmen were not the only persons to be adorned with the Red blanket, the manner of issuing the Red Blanket was rather abrupt. Any person from any kind of background could acquire the Red Blanket on proven merit and unquestioned loyalty. Basic Knowledge about English and Hindi was an added point for selection as Doobashi and Gaonbura. For instance, a person by the name of Khakhu Dighali, one of the most popular Doobashi amongst Sumis of his time, was a water carrier during his boyhood. Interestingly, a woman by the name of Mrs. Teli of Ighanumi village under Pughoboto Sub-division, Zuhneboto district was appointed as Gaonbura much against the male patriarchy of the time. Mrs Teli is the only woman to have held the post of Goanbura till today. Mrs Teli is long gone but her appointment as Gaonbura undoubtedly proves that the British Government did not confined the appointment of Gaonbura and Dobashi to the male gender alone. Also nowhere is it written that women cannot be appointed as Doobashi or Gaonbura.
I just recalled a trip to Tuensang town some months back where along with friends I had an opportunity to interact with the Doobashis of Tuensang Sardar (I) and got to know about the views and comments on 33% women reservation. In the ensuing debate, which lasted for about three hours the Doobashis fervently defended exclusion of woman folk in ULBs and RLBs as they say would destroy the established order (Naga Customary Laws) which has been followed since many decades. One of the Doobashis even went to the extent of saying “Maaki kaan toh Chutka laga Rani ase”! Such is the mentality of our Naga men folk! We are too selfish and at the same time, demeaning in treating our counterparts. To me, a person who wants to continue with this old fashioned and out of date “Male Chauvinist” system in this century must be either due to selfishness and ignorance or perhaps he is intimidated by the idea of reservation; that a woman will finally usurp his prerogative! The chairperson of the meeting summed up with a concluding message “Sob Dibo holewi Lal Kapra Nedibo” and we all heard him loud and clear. Today, when we look around some of the world’s top international organizations such as, IMF, WHO, UNESCO IAEA etc. are manned by women. Some of the most advanced countries like Germany and United Kingdom are also headed by women. Even in India, women are the Chief Ministers in all four corners of the country.
Coming back to our Naga society, our own Naga women like Neichiilieii Haralu and Neikhrietuonuo Linyu have achieved feats which no Naga men even dare to dream of, which undoubtedly testifies that Naga women are second to none. Naga women make good Administrators, Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Journalists, Academicians, Writers, Sportspersons etc. so let’s give them the opportunity called “Reservation” in ULBs. While we menfolk proudly proclaim our respect for women, by opposing Reservation we are advocating an environment that hinders their path to excellence. And with stereotyping of our own women with tags such as “Chutka laga Maharani, Home Minister etc”, it awfully proves nothing but manifests our male chauvinistic thoughts. It all boils down to token respect and this is lame, this is cowardice.
In conclusion, it is saddening that many chose to oppose 33% women reservation in Urban Local Bodies. Ironically, this particular issue has brought many Naga Tribal Hohos under one voice like never before. Unsurprisingly, The Sumi Hoho also have raised a tune in line with the rest and I ardently wish they revoke their stand for our record sake- Sumi men, they say, are the ones among Naga tribes who respect and honour their women the most. Perhaps, it is not an odd coincidence that two Sumi women namely, Mrs Teli (G.B of Ighanumi) and Mrs Tokheli Kikon (Chairman of Naharbari Village) have held a position which no Naga women has ever held. Last but not the least, allow me to reproduce the motto of All Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (SKK) and also one of my favourites, which reads “Time changes and we change with time”. How I wish my Sumi frontal organizations change their outlook along with change of time. Perhaps, it’s high time that we look beyond the British times, which is long gone. History remembers only those who dare to be different.
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