N Haisoyi Ndang
United Colony, Dimapur
Do you thing the cannibalistic predator praying mantis really praying? If your answer is yes! You are truly right and if your answer is no; you are wrong within the perspective of current imbroglio on the 33% of women reservation where, the two gender lobbying groups are at loggerhead that ultimately stymieing the process of ULBs election. This tug-of-war is basically based on constitutional article 371A customary laws probity and the article 243T-1993 ratified by the state legislative in 2006 for women reservation in ULBs and other relevant representative system in the state. This is a very peculiar war between the husband and the wife just opposite to the Khasis matriarchal custom under re-codification in the interest of the Khasi women.
The above equation seems to be wholly wholesome for the fact that in all the hierarchies in those public organizations that opposed the bill are male Christians, seemingly holier than thou had not augur well with their conservative attitudes against their own mother and sisters, which in other word projecting themselves as male centric or male chauvinism. Remember, the world is phenomenally changing in pursue of updated modern society, leaving behind their obsolete old tradition and practice in the interest of logistic modern lifestyle. So also, it’s time that we recalibrate our mindset and wake up from our deep slumber or else this backathong race will lead us to head hunting era again that’s just waiting for us.
True, the ensuing ULBs election cannot be a panacea for the govt. of Nagaland but why we become so myopic in adjusting ourselves with the fair sex from whom we all came about and so endeared to us. At time we praise them to the sky-high but never wanting to be equal partner speaks volume of our bitter-heart whereby, painted a very bad picture for ourselves. Nevertheless, the prevailing situation here in Nagaland, exposing to the world of our real being as ritualistic believers, praying and worshiping Christ as a social clothing is becoming a matter of serious thought provoking. To the best of our understanding the ratification of women empowerment had not mentioned any pruning of male’s rights or infringe upon traditional right of the male but in concurred with the constituted article 243T 1993 adjusting the ratio of representation between the two gender may not be too big an issue.
Look, as of today the govt. has holistically propagated the virtue of customary laws and had constructed customary law courts in all the districts of Nagaland which itself shows that the vibrant customary laws is the oxygen in the judiciary system and not twisted at the whim and fancy of any individual or group’s interest. Of course, men are expected to be big hearted and continue to protect their women folk as was endowed upon by the creator Himself and similarly women are expected to honour and obey their men-folk as a rule then nothing can disturb the peaceful coexistence.
Well, believe it or not but certain primordial customary laws have freak and illogical enforcement that born out of rustic paganism ideas that become obsolete and defunct you may not heard of; for instance, in a certain village a quick-stand or one-night stand (pump and dump) was passively permissible during the seed sowing season April-May, where the pregnant women goes about asking for the identity of the would be biological father of the bastard child in her womb. And yet another freak law was; when a pregnant woman dies with unsuccessful delivery, the whole family abandoned her carcass in the house with all the belongings to find shelter elsewhere just to find themselves stigmatized by the very community they lived with. And another shocking custom was that; should a man slept with (Copulate) more than hundred girls, he gets the title of eagle-claw as a trophy for his lifetime achievement where, he can wear on both side of the headgear during festival dancing. Yes! These bad laws were done away with the advent of Christianity so also many more irrelevant laws should put to remedies with consensual agreement by the intellectuals of both the sex. Yes, I have to admit that there are many obsolete articles in my customary laws so also could be with other tribes, where I have authored 1) Zeliang customary laws 2) Zeme Customary laws 3) Zeme Cultural Heritage North east India co authored with Mr.Raitu Elu President of Zeme Council North East India (Assam Manipur Nagaland) Where I’ve to write according to the prevailing stance of the laws being practice by my people and this was through the approval of various public organizations. Therefore, would it not be prudent for our sisters to address their grievances to the right forum in the first place instead of going to the legal court
Similarly, had there been remedial measure in the first place, today’s embroilment would not have cropped up but self esteemed and over confidence, deriding the mandate of the people through autocratic enforcement was a thing of serious concern and this deep wound will take time to heal. Now, the vertical split ultimately led to boycott of the ensuing ULBs election was a matter of ideological clashes and difference and this shouldn’t be viewed as the end for still there’s a vast scope through negotiation. So also, it will be imperative for the govt. of Nagaland to give sufficient time before jumping into conclusion, means extent the time till such time of conduciveness with full support of the public. This is because no one is opposing the ensuing ULBs election but only the criteria of representation in the system.
Please take note that this write up shouldn’t be reflected to any political party or public organization as the write up is purely individual opinion based on the current developments.
