Sir/Madam,
It is really disheartening to learn that some tribal Mothers’ association have disassociated themselves from the Naga Mothers’ association either due to fear of the recent upheaval or due to pressure from their tribes male counterpart. The NMA lofty ideals of gender equality and space for Women in an otherwise male dominated society led to the issue of reservation for Women in the present Municipal and Town Council elections. It was never going to be an easy task more so when something new was sought to be introduced in the Society which was bonded with archaic customs and traditions. Thus, began the big fight by the NMA with the state Govt. at the high court and ultimately at the Apex court. During these stages no tribal Mothers’ association had any reservation or objection as to their struggle for Women reservation to secure gender equality in the Society. Alas! When things got too hot for comfort as was expected some tribal Mothers’ association decided to jump out from the boat casting away their common struggle of an ideal society where man and woman would live as equal partners. What really is the need to disassociate when one can differ in opinion and still be a member of the NMA. As it appears the disassociation of the Mothers’ happened only at the behest of the male dominated Hoho. What is perplexing is that when the fight is between man versus woman and not between or amongst tribes over reservation issue why some mothers’ association had to pay heed to their tribal male Hoho to oppose and depose the Govt. since the state Govt. was only fulfi1ling the constitutional mandate of securing equal rights for women. This brings us to the point as to what really was the need to fight with men for women reservation in the first place when women in any case were going to listen to the men at the end. The issue of some tribal women organisation being a constituent part of the parent body of a particular tribe and the issue of Women reservation are two different issues and should not be mixed up. Let it be known to all Women that inorder to secure gender equality their fight will always be pitted against men. Reservation or no reservation our Women/Mothers’ association has a lesson to learn from this episode.
Shelina
Dimapur
