The issue that’s been going on in Nagaland regarding the ban of dog markets and import of dogs in the state has been a hot topic of discussion for a lot of us. Some relating it to culture and ancestral dietary habits and some relating it to other similar cultures that practices eating of dog meat.
Some people say “cultural progression” is needed. And yes I’m in support of that, culture should evolve with time and that we should progress to a more advanced state. But looking at this I do not think it is really connected with our culture as I feel its an individuals sole choice whether or not to eat dog meat. In my case I don’t eat dog meat because of the way it smells but not because “Our culture needs to grow from our eating habits” and that’s “My choice.” Similarly everybody has different choices and I really feel for people who consider dog meat a delicacy. I for instance if one day wake up to know that beef or other meat has been banned in the state will be outraged and would try and make certain arrangements to lift the ban and maybe even protest. Also note that here, I’m not making any comparison between dog meat and other types of meat nor saying that they’re all the same. Also I’m not bothered by anybody’s eating habits whatsoever. I’m just viewing this whole issue from the other persons point of view.
There is a certain WhatsApp screenshot doing it rounds which talks about a “Dog meat feast” to be organised in Kohima because of the ban of dog meat which I think is a foolish and a barbaric act whether be it genuine or written in the form of a joke. I understand the outrage of some dog meat lovers but I also believe that there are more civil ways to approach rather than circulating an inhumane WhatsApp message.
But that’s not the message I want to deliver. What I wanted to say is that I think we Nagas are debating and fighting for the wrong cause. Yes, the state cabinet has banned the sale of dog meat whether cooked or uncooked. But I do not think we should be arguing on someone else’s eating habits and equating dog meat lovers ‘As Savages’
Some people may feel that the state leaders are in their favour, but are they really? We were first fighting against the “shoot on sight” order but this took a different turn, after @pfa.official posted a picture where most of what was mentioned in the caption were false allegations against no one but us Nagas .
Some people may be happy with the state governments recent statement but what about the “shoot on sight” order? This issue has been going on for so long now but was never addressed by our government. The state government has already stated about the sale of dog meat. And yes it was in favour of all dog lovers, that’s done and I don’t think we can do anything about it anymore, no matter how much we debate on this issue.
Our government has shifted our attention from the most cruel act I.e. The “shoot on sight” order towards the eating habits of people. This issue needs to be addressed as soon as possible because we never know our dogs might meet the same fate as the two dogs who had already succumbed to their injuries due to this issue.
However irrelevant this may seem to some, I have the right to my own opinion. But do we want to wake up one day to see the end of our precious dogs? Do we want to keep our dogs chained forever in their cages? If we love our dogs so much why are we not voicing out against this “shoot on sight” order as much as we should but are instead bothered about other peoples eating habits? Let’s all stop what we’re doing and act now for the right cause and not divert our attention elsewhere.
Khyothunglo Kikon
BA ( Sociology).
Bayavu Hill
Kohima, Nagaland.