MLA Ngullie takes on CM
Dimapur, October 23 : The Chakhroma GB's Union (CGBU) has come out against the women reservation policy asserting that it would ‘compromise’ the traditions of the Naga community. The GBs issued a press release on Sunday stating their position on the controversial bill, and asking the women to withdraw the petition before the Supreme Court.
‘...it has been observed that the customs and traditions of the Nagas are going to be seriously compromised if the 33% reservation for women in the civic bodies is implemented, which we, as the guardians and custodians of our customary laws cannot allow,’ the press release from the organization asserted.
According to the claims of the GBs, the Naga people have “since time immemorial” been practicing “the purest form of democracy.” The men and the women, the youth and the children each had own ‘different places in the society,’ the GBs stated. In every day-to-day activity no group ‘intruded upon or took upon itself, the role of the other,’ it said.
The organization said it was baffled to see Naga women “under the egis of the Naga Mothers’ Association trying to override this special provision and destroy our age old customs by demanding reservation to sit in a place which was earlier considered as man's territory and even going to the extent of knocking the doors of the Supreme Court of India.”
The GBs were of the view that if the Supreme Court of India were to pass a judgment on the Special Leave Petition filed before it by the Naga women in favour of the petitioners, “it has to be done by superseding the provisions of the Art. 371A of the Constitution of India as the matter directly concerns meddling with the customary practices of the Nagas.”
The organization alleged further that the “act of our women folk in seeking to crush our customary practices” by seeking redress from the Supreme Court, bypassing customary courts, is “seen as a direct challenge and insult to the Naga society at large and therefore may lead to serious ramifications later.”
The organization has requested “our women folk” to withdraw the Special Leave Petition filed before the Supreme Court of India and “let the matter be resolved as a domestic problem where any concessions and considerations can be chalked out and implemented.”
Otherwise, the statement added, any ruling of the Supreme Court “in your favour” may not have any “profitable effect on you” because “no matter where you are placed by the judgment, the Nagas custom and traditions may not be in a position to recognize that in the true spirit and you'll remain only a decorative show piece.” (Full text on page 6)
MLA Ngullie
Sitting member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Thomas Ngullie has charged the chief minister of Nagaland of ‘overriding’ the constitution of India and negating an assembly resolution on the women quota.
The legislator issued a press release on Sunday noting reported statements of Chief Minister TR Zeliang in the media committing to reserving 33% seats to women in the municipal elections.
‘...the said commitment is nothing but a political declaration which is a unilateral declaration merely accepting the advice of The Naga Mother’s Association which had referred to a special leave petition No.(C) 26794 that granted a stay order to the judgement passed in the writ appeal No.116/2012 by Division Bench of Gauhati High Court,’ Ngullie stated in the press release.
The record of the assembly clearly states, Ngullie pointed out, that it was under the recommendation of the Select Committee—TR Zeliang at the head when he was the minister of Planning, AH &V, and Paliamentary Affairs—to unanimously resolve to reject the applicability of part-IX (A) of the constitution of India. It had further recommended to the assembly passsing a resolution to frame own laws for the conduct of the Municipal and Town Council Act in lieu of part-IX(A) of the constitution, the MLA stated.
Said recommendation was signed by TR Zeliang on July 21, 2012, Ngullie stated. On the floor of the assembly, said resolution was moved by Dr. Shurhozelie—the then Minister for Uban Development & Higher Education—on March 20, 2012, for suspension of the Municipal and Town Council Act of 2001, and Part-IX (A) of the Constitution of India.
Accordingly, the assembly adopted the resolution on the 22nd of September, 2012, Ngullie stated.
“That in spite of such resolutions being on record the chief minister of Nagaland Shri.TR Zeliang has stated in the press that 33% women reservation will be implemented in the state of Nagaland which is nothing but only a gimmick to the masses.”
Ngullie pointed out further that Article 371 (A) specifically stated that no act of the Parliament was applicable in Nagaland except by a resolution adopted in the state assembly. “In this regard, how can TR Zeliang in the capacity of the chief minister or his cabinet override the provision of the constitution and the privileges given to the people of Nagaland in an obnoxious manner,” Ngullie questioned.
Stating that the action of the chief minister ‘portrays rejection’ of provisions granted by said Article to Nagaland, the MLA wondered “If such is the policy of the present chief minister even for a municipal election then a time will come when assembly election also will be affected.”
Ngullie has questioned Zeliang whether he was for political gains to be in power or ‘for the safeguard of the Nagas.’
