NDPP urges organisers reconsider proposal
Dimapur/ Kohima, September 9 (MExN): A scheduled arrival of the ‘Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra’ in the state capital Kohima on September 27 and the proposed event the next day have elicited sharp reactions in Nagaland.
The yatra is reportedly part of the "Gau Pratishtha Andolan," a movement aimed at elevating the cow to the status of 'Rashtra Mata' and incorporating cow protection into the central list of the Indian Constitution. The nationwide yatra will commence on September 22 and run until October 26.
Expressing shock and alarm over what he termed as a programme to make India a "cow slaughter-free" country, MLA and Leader of the NPF Legislator Party, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, condemned the proposed event saying he feels duty-bound to protect the rights of the people as a public leader.
He further objected to what he termed as the "infringement of freedom of individual rights to choice of food."
He also reiterated his commitment to condemning the imposition of food choices in Nagaland and recalled that the Naga People’s Front (NPF) cadres had conducted a "Beef Festival Protest" in Kohima in July 2017 on the issue.
The legislator also highlighted what he termed as the "hypocrisy of the so-called Gau Rakshaks in the mainland states" and reminded them to "first clean up their home states, where there is large-scale slaughter of cows for export to, especially, Middle Eastern countries."
He alleged that the owners of the biggest beef-exporting companies and the four largest beef exporters are Hindus, adding that many businessmen professing the religion are the largest suppliers in India.
Citing unnamed data, he also pointed out that India is ranked 5th in the world in terms of meat production, with 9.77 million tonnes in the year 2022-23. The top five meat-producing states are Maharashtra (12.25%), Uttar Pradesh (12.14%), West Bengal (11.63%), Andhra Pradesh (11.04%), and Telangana (10.82%), he added.
Azo also extended his support to a recent statement made reportedly by the Arunachal Students Union objecting to the "imposition of food habits programme initiated” the Yatra.
Meanwhile, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) asserted that while it is a secular political party with its principles enshrined in the Constitution of India and stands firm on the very fabric of democracy, as a regional political party representing Nagaland, protecting the rights, privileges, and sentiments of the people of the state is its foremost priority.
Article 371A of the Constitution of India also protects the "religious and social practices" of the Nagas, and the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) and the Government of Nagaland have decided not to implement the "Ban on Cow Slaughter Act 2019" based on provisions under Article 371A, it said.
While the decision of the NLA and the Government still stands, the proposed promotion of the ban on cow slaughter may hurt the sentiments of the Naga people and may also affect the socio-religious harmony prevailing in the state, it added.
Accordingly, the NDPP urged the organisers of the yatra to reconsider their proposal to hold the programme in Nagaland and also requested the Government of Nagaland to intervene at the earliest so that the prevalent socio-religious harmony and brotherhood are not disturbed. As the NDPP respects the social and religious beliefs of each and every citizen of this diverse nation, the religious and social practices of the Naga people must also be similarly respected by others, it added.
The NDPP also pointed out that the Republic of India has always upheld the freedom of its states and their people in deciding to enact laws and legislation as per their needs and requirements. As a result, the majority of the North-East states, along with Kerala and West Bengal, have decided not to implement and enact the Act of 2019, it said. Hence, organising the proposed event would go against the sentiments of the majority of the people of the state and also undermine the powers conferred upon the state by the Constitution of India, it added.
