What is supposed to be a people's movement has turned out to be a display of Nagas’ savagery in full view of the world. It will take years to erase that image from us. What did we get from this protest? We lost on every count.
Two precious lives lost, properties damaged, women participation in civic bodies which is much needed, will now be pushed to the back burner, the misogynistic outdated attitudes of our tribal hohos will take a deeper root, and the tag of being a Christian state is blown away in the air.
This issue could have been solved amicably much earlier but it was kept alive due to adamant attitude of NMA which appeared to be pushing for the cause of feminism rather than for upliftment of women, over reaction of the insecure only male dominated hohos who still live in the past and believe that women should shun all politics and finally the inefficient and visionless state government which seems to be in power by default.
The decision of the cabinet to withdraw from tripartite agreement with JCC and NBCC reflects a very poor judgement and now their collective wisdom and the decision-making capacity is in serious doubt. The disgruntled politicians got a chance to play their cards and tried to tilt the tide to their favour.
Liquor and cash flowed freely in some places even at this time of demonetisation. Within days the protest turned uglier including the midnight mob frenzy which is never seen in our land. Sadly, the inevitable happened.
It is shocking to learn that even the iconic structure of civil secretariat which we all are proud of, would have gone without timely intervention by Kohima village youth. What I am trying to emphasise here is that the subsequent events which happened relating to women reservation in ULB reflects a sick society. This is not an issue to be fought in the street and nobody is the winner here. There are many women who are against women reservation and at the same time there are also many men who are for it.
The larger point here is that we cannot just wish away the participation of women in ULBs by protest and reservation in forms is needed as there is no level playing field for them to fight with men in the present situation. Everybody is trying to interpret whether elections to ULBs infringes upon Article 371 (A) or not but with due apology to the learned writers, the interpretation of law is limitless and only the Supreme Court will give the final say.
So we should not harp on the illusion that he provisions of Article 371 (A) which was INSERT IGNOREed in the constitution when Nagas were backward and in turmoil is insulated from judicial review. For that matter our customary practices are not infallible and if some of these are not consistent with the modern norms then judiciary or parliament will amend it. They may be in practice just because they were not subjected to judicial scrutiny. The best way to protect our identity and right is to adapt them to the need of the modern time so that it will not invite interference from any quarter. Let us be honest, our customary laws put women at disadvantage as they were in practice when men were protectors and providers. But today the situation is opposite.
In most household women are providers and men are housekeepers. While not encouraging feminism and also not forgetting the larger role that women play in building homes and society, we should appreciate if some of them want to participate in the ULBs and contribute to it. I believe that the state government had good intention to conduct ULB election and the Hoho too had good reasons to oppose it. In spite of the bitterness which happened during the past few days I am convinced that there is still a meeting point.
The only way forward is dialogue, understanding and let’s have women reservation in an amicable form. May God heal the Naga society.
Bendangchuba K Khel Diphupar
