DIMAPUR, APRIL 4 (MExN): The Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation (JACWR) has informed that it stood by the representation submitted to the Chief Minister, dated 19th March 2012, which it stated was based on the judgement order of the Hon’ble High Court on the issue of reservation for women in municipalities and town councils. “It is most unfortunate that many Naga leaders are questioning the legality of the Court order and harping on infringement of Art 371(A), which has no connection with the process of election for governance of towns”, stated a press note from the JACWR.
Stating that Naga women are very clear of the provisions of the Art 371 (A), the press note expressed surprise that many leaders are “hell bent to mislead the public by alleging that the JACWR statement is ambiguous and has undermined the right of the Nagas”. Instead of accusing the JACWR, the press note stated that “these leaders must read the Hon’ble Court Judgement order, dated 21.10.2011, which is not a creation of Naga women, but the considered judgement of the Hon’ble Court after patient hearing given to the State Government, State Election Commission and the Petitioners”.
The JACWR pointed out that “if these leaders feel so aggrieved, they should approach the Hon’ble Court and may even suggest for amendment of the Indian Constitution”. However, it stated as surprising that till date, none of them have filed any appeal to the Court against the said judgement.
“The fact that the Naga Hoho has applauded the Legislators for their ‘maturity’ in passing the resolution in the Assembly on this issue proves beyond any doubt, that they do not have the interest of the better half of the Naga people at heart”, the press note further stated. The JACWR pointed out that for Naga women, adopting the three point resolution by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) and suspending democratic process of elections is not only a contempt of the Court order, but betrayal and discrimination of the Naga women who have also voted them to their seats in the August House.
“These Legislators have enjoyed the benefits of election and it is questionable, that suspension of democratic elections is now being imposed, depriving women, who are equal citizens, from exercising their democratic rights”. The JACWR reiterated that conduct of elections is entirely in the hands of the State Election Commission and not the State Government, which is quoted at length in the Court Judgement order dated 21.10.2011 and the Governor’s notification thereafter, the press note reminded.
The JACWR also questioned what it termed as the “undemocratic tactics of some of the Tribe leaders, including some incumbent Legislators, who have summoned the tribe women organisations in their area and resorted to harassment and threats to withdraw their signatures attached to the JACWR representation to the Chief Minister, dated 19th March 2012”.
Stating that Naga women are only asking to exercise their Constitutional rights, the press note pointed that it was the bounden duty of the Government to protect their rights. It went on to state that necessary official representations from the JACWR, have been placed before the State Government to abide by its own notifications and the State Election Commission to immediately publish the Election Program in public interest and in consonance with the Court’s judgement order.
