The Delimitation Act, 2002 is an Act of Parliament which received the assent of President of India on 3rd June 2002, and published by Authority in the gazette of India on June 4, 2002. It is an act to provide for the ‘readjustment’ of seats in the House of the people (Lok Sabha) and Legislative Assemblies of States and Union Territories on the basis of population census figure in order to do away with irregularity and disparity in representation in the past.
It also sought to readjust seats on basis of geographical affinity, existing boundaries of administration unit, communication facility and public convenience.
Much to the dismay of the deprived, the state Govt.’s request for maintaining status quo with regards to inter-district seat readjustment was accepted by the Commission. However direction was given to make minor readjustment of the Assembly Constituencies within the districts. In the course of which the new draft proposal has come out and there is some resistance. Human beings by nature resist change. Nothing is permanent except change. It is inevitable. When Christianity and Civilization came to our land, it was resisted ‘tooth and nail’ by our forefathers who were pagan at that point of time.
Christianity and civilization were not guided by an Act of Law. The Delimitation Commission is an act of law under the Constitution of India in which we live. We are duty bound to obey acts and rules laid down by the Govt.
The changes have been made within the districts, where inhabitants are mostly of same tribe or group. Therefore the condition that it would affect the ancestral affinity, socio-political balance, geographical unity and integrity, social understanding and mutual respect is ‘absurd’. How can it also shatter or disturb the equilibrium or unity of some people when they are from the same tribe, speak the same dialect, have common tradition and customs?
It is more surprising to note that there has been a ‘hue and cry’ over this minor readjustment of Assembly Constituencies when we talk much about Sovereignty and Independence; of Political struggle and Freedom.
Inspite of homogeneity, Nagas are a splintered society. We are bilingual or more even in the same tribe or villages. The Delimitation Commission as an autonomous body is not expected to entertain or solve all the domestic complaints. HL Menchen says, “Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice. Let us not talk about your advantage, my disadvantage; this range, that range; or this group of villages or that group of villages. Nagas are one but speak many dialects and live in a hilly tract of land – Nagaland.
Shiloh Kath
Niu Colony, B/Camp, Dimapur
