Our Correspondent
Kohima | January 9
“Women reservation can be settled within our own community, and in our own kitchen. It is not necessary to go to the Supreme Court,” Dr. Vilhousa Seleyi, president, Angami Public Organisation said on Monday during the closing of the bandh by the Angami Public Organisation in Kohima.
The bandh protesting against the recently amended Nagaland Municipal Act, which included the 33 percent reservation for women, has been wrongly interpreted as being discriminatory towards women, Dr. Seleyi claimed.
With the Indian Government’s policy of implementing ‘One Nation, One Law and One Tax’, Dr. Seleyi was of the view that such policies are dangerous for the survival of indigenous communities such as the Nagas.
Therefore, the Municipal Act infringes on the Article 371A which provides full authority to the Nagas to decide for themselves, for their welfare. “If we protect the power of 371 A, no law of India can come and disturb us,” Dr. Seleyi observed.
Just as women are prepared to help the menfolk, Dr. Seleyi sought to reassure that the menfolk are also prepared to support the women and said, “If anybody is there, thinking themselves to be deprived of something, I think they should come up to the people, and also to the Government of Nagaland. In that way, any kind of issue can be addressed amicably.”
Prior to launching the agitation, most tribes were prepared ‘but money speaks and everywhere people could not overrule or overcome the money power’, Dr Seleyi alleged.
Meanwhile, the APO in a message to the Nagaland Chief Minister said it remains committed to their earlier position on the municipal and town council election and women reservation. “Our position remain unchanged. We stand as such in the true spirit of Naga welfare and interest. We concur that the government is merely interested in implementing its agenda defying and denying the democratic voice of her people. It is unfortunate, deeply hurtful,” the APO said.
‘To be a progressive society, provide space to women through reservation’
Holding a different opinion, Mezivolu T. Therieh, NJS, who is currently the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kohima & Secretary, KDLSA viewed that the 33 percent reservation for women does not in any way impinge upon the Article 371A as per the Single Bench Judgment and order (JAWCR) as mentioned under the Para 28 of the Judgment.
“Therefore not holding municipal elections with 33 percent reservation for women is discriminatory and in fact impinges upon the rights of the women,” Therieh maintained. Debunking the illusion of equality in Naga society, Therieh pointed out that reservation for women has been granted by the Constitution of India under Art 243 T (30) because “the society limits women.”
Despite 50 years of Statehood, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly does not have a single women representation till date, which Therieh terms as ‘massive political injustice taking place in the State’.
Therefore, unless women are provided with some kind of space such as reservations, which can push them forward, where they have to apply, an equal and progressive Naga society might take another 50 years “If we are to look at a progressive society, then definitely women should be given some space through reservation. Traditions, customs do change with time,” opined Therieh.
