DIMAPUR, February 13 (MExN): The Ao Senden and the Sumi Hoho have asked the Nagaland state government to clarify whether the statement made by the Advisor for School Education, Dr Kekhrie Yhome represents the government’s view. The two tribal bodies issued a joint statement on February 13, stating that Dr Yhome proposed a ten-year ban on recruiting teachers from the Ao and Sumi communities as primary teachers based on linguistic grounds, sparking outrage within the two communities.
The statement termed the proposal as discriminatory and said, “Such actions… also perpetuate division within our society,” besides raising constitutional and ethical questions. While stating that the Indian Constitution has not empowered an Advisor to make such decisions, it asked the Nagaland state government to clarify whether Dr Yhome's statement represents official policy.
“If so, the government must provide a transparent explanation for such a discriminatory policy. However, if it does not reflect government policy, then Dr Yhome should publicly retract his statement,” it said.
According to the statement, the two tribal bodies took umbrage at what it said was Dr Yhome justifying and reiterating his statement despite inviting condemnation from student organizations and the affected tribal communities. “It is imperative to acknowledge the significant contributions of the Ao and Sumi tribes to Nagaland's educational landscape,” it said.
While stating that it endorsed the press statements issued by the Central Nagaland Students' Association (CNSA), Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) and Sümi Kiphimi Küqhakulu (SKK), it urged the Sumi and Ao legislators to address and also clarify whether Dr Yhome's statement reflects government policy. Stating that the duty of the legislators are to safeguard the rights and opportunities of the people they serve, it held the legislators from the two communities accountable for any adverse effects resulting from the unjust denial of employment opportunities.
