Of late individuals and organizations including the Government of Nagaland has started ventilating its opinion on the provisions of Article 371 (A) of the Constitution of India which has once again rekindled our spirit to assert without fear. But at the same time, it is also disheartening that while enunciating their own opinions many of our own people without compunction pour out their perceptions thereby unconsciously narrowing the scope and provisions of the Article 371 (A). The Naga Hoho being a mass based organization deem fit to make its views clear that Article 371 (A) which may be viewed as collective view of the Naga as a whole. Naga society being a free and democratic society in nature, everyone is entitled to air his or her own views but when any subject related to common interest is to be touch upon, it will serve us better if one refrains from making any remarks which may be counterproductive to our adversaries.
We must also realize that the Art 371(A) is not the Alfa and Omega for the Naga solution, but we may consider it as an intermission in the midst of our journey in search of political settlement. The provisions of Article 371 (A) correlates with Naga history and therefore it is in the fitness of thing if one tread cautiously while speaking or writing on this very provision and avoid his or her own lofty ideas. Naga Hoho wish to remind our people that the genesis of the concept and philosophy of the provision Article 371 (A) enshrined in the Constitution of India was expounded succinctly by our leader in the 4th Para of the Memorandum submitted to the British Statutory Commission popularly known as Simon Commission in 1929.
After which, in June 1947 two months prior to Indian Independence, the Nine Point Agreement which is also known as Sir Akbar Hydari Agreement was signed between the British India represented by the Governor of Assam and the Naga Leaders encompassing all the provisions similar to that of Article 371 (A). Thus without any hesitation we can infer that the provision of Article 371(A) is a copycat of Nine Point Agreement. As a matter of fact, it is not fair to say that the provision of Article 371 (A) starts and ends with the 16 point memorandum which was later converted to an agreement and enacted by the Indian Parliament as a Special Provision for the State of Nagaland.
Although some within our family wish to propound that this particular provisions is only an outcome of the 16 Point Agreement. From all these sequence of events, one can easily understands that there was consistency in its approach in the minds of the Naga leaders in protecting the inherent rights of the Nagas. In other words, the provision kept for us in the Article 371(A) are neither a sudden outburst of an individual nor an imposition of others will on us but it was a spontaneous flow of collective thoughts and aspirations of the Nagas as a whole. This very provision in our humble opinion should be construed harmoniously with special emphasis on the Naga political history and in the context only. This is because this provision although came along with the creation of the Nagaland State but its concept was enveloped through Political revolution much before the Constitution of India came into being.
Another aspect which needs to be understood by all Nagas both young and old is that this particular provision was given to us in order to suit our society because our way of life is much more different from the rest of the people of India in every sense of the term. As a result, the special provision of Article 371 (A) which is meant for our people cannot be interpreted like that of the rest of the provisions in the Indian Constitution. Otherwise it will be of no use to specifically INSERT IGNORE this special provision in the Constitution if it is to be interpreted to serve the interest of other communities living within Indian Union.
Knowing full well that Nagas are distinct in all aspects be it in appearances or landholding system or tradition and religion, etc., the Government of India has INSERT IGNOREed the provision of Article 371(A) with a view of its historical and philosophical perspectives. Perhaps, we do not realise that this very provision belongs to us and not to others. What we need to remember is that as of now this provision is the only bond of relationship between Nagas and Indians and nothing more. Ergo, any attempts to construe/ re-amend these provisions in line with any other Article or Clause in the Constitution of India will only push the Nagas farther and farther.
In Conclusion, the Naga Hoho impressed upon every right thinking citizens not to indulge in giving individuals opinion on the Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India if one is not thorough of the Naga Political Philosophy, its Struggle and its History. The people in the state of Nagaland are the stake holder under the provision of 371 (A). Therefore, any Government of the day must consult with the public organization or civil body while interpreting the provision to safeguard the right of the people. Hence the question of consulting the civil bodies in this regard by the Government is a rightfully done and fulfils the aspiration of the people. The Government cannot be the sole authority and arbiter without the consent of its citizens.
Publicity Wing
Naga Hoho
