Naga women leaders object to repeal of Municipal Act

March 31, 2023 56 Views No Comment

Takes note that Nagaland’s first 2 women MLAs remained silent

DIMAPUR, MARCH 31 (MExN): As the Nagaland Government repealed the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 on March 28, Naga women leaders objected to the decision of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to repeal this Act and took exception to the fact that this was done without any civil dialogue or consultation with women.

This was one of a series of resolutions passed during an open state level discussion on the Municipal Elections organised by the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) in collaboration with the Department of English, Nagaland University on March 29 at the NU, Kohima Campus, Meriema.

A press release from Prof Rosemary Dzuvichu, Department of English, NU said that the discussion also resolved that Naga women are in support of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, including the First Amendment, providing for 33% reservation in Urban Local Bodies

It further stated that Naga Women have taken cognizance of the fact that the “two women MLAs remained silent during deliberations on this issue in the Assembly session as well as abstaining from objecting or dissenting to the passing of this repeal bill.”

During the discussion, Prof Rosemary Dzüvichü, former Director, Women Studies Centre and Professor, Department of English, NU gave a detailed account of the struggles of Naga women relating to the implementation of the Municipal Act 2001 and its first amendment, which provides for 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies.

The two other speakers invited to this event were Zheviholi Swu, Legal Advisor and Dr Theyiesinuo Keditsu.

Speaking on the topic of Feminism in the Naga Context, Dr Keditsu argued for the need to identify struggles peculiar to the condition of indigenous Naga women. She contested the idea that ‘feminist consciousness or praxis is a modern invention or western ideology citing various instances of feminist resistance and subversion in Naga traditional culture.’

Recognising that it is easier to change oneself than another, Dr Keditsu discussed the malady of ‘internalised patriarchy’ and urged all women present to confront this ‘intimate enemy.’ She stressed the need for peaceful, non-violent strategies to challenge inequalities inherent in patriarchy.

Zheviholi Swu spoke in her capacity as legal advisor to the NMA and erstwhile Joint Action Committee. She unpacked the legalities of the Municipal Act 2001 as well as tracing the various legal actions and recourses taken by petitioners, Government of Nagaland and the Court till date. Given that this Act is a constitutional legislation, Swu explained that its implementation was inevitable and that the latest bid by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to repeal this bill would be viewed seriously as it was subjudice in the Supreme Court. Any person/ organisation aggrieved by the Court order can implead themselves into the case.

Speeches were also given by Prof Lungsang, Director, Women Studies Centre, Nagaland University; NMA founder and current Advisor, Sano Vamuzo; and Abeni TCK Lotha, Advisor NMA, who is also the Chairperson, Red Cross Society Nagaland.

During the open discussion, party women representatives from NDPP, BJP and other individual party workers as well as representatives from Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Zeliang Mepui Organisation and Pochury Mothers Association shared their views.

The program brought more than a hundred women from across various professions, tribal and other women organisations, academics, journalists, political party leaders, business women, Naga women research scholars from the university and abroad as well as university women students to end the Women’s Month of March.

Nagaland Election Commission cancels ULB poll programme

DIMAPUR, MAY 30 (MExN): The Nagaland State Election Commission today informed that the Election Programme for conduct of the ULB polls stands “cancelled” till further orders. A notice issued by the State Election Commissioner, T Mhabemo Yanthan informed that this has been done in view of the repeal in toto of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 through the Nagaland Municipal Act (Repeal Act 2023) by the Government of Nagaland.