The hype around Nagaland electing its first female MPs appears to be fading quickly with the state assembly’s passage of a resolution to repeal a law that provided a 33 percent reserve for women in civic bodies.
The move also exposes what many see as “double standards” from political parties, which pledged women’s empowerment in their 2023 election manifestos. The state has a government with no opposition.
Major women’s organizations in the state protested the move, questioning the intentions of Neiphiu Rio’s government. “Naga women oppose the decision to repeal this act and except that this was done without any civil dialogue or consultation with women,” said the Nagas This was stated in a statement by the Association of Mothers (Nma).
The NMA also said the two MLA women had remained silent during deliberations on the issue in the assembly earlier this week. The duo — Hekani Jakhalu AND Salhoutuonuo Kruse of the NDPP ruling – had created history by being the first female legislators of Nagaland in its 60 years of statehood. The results of the assembly poll were released on March 2.
So what was the problem with the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001? There were reportedly pressures from tribal organizations and civil society groups on the government to repeal the law. These organizations oppose the law as it provides for a 33% quota for women and levies taxes on land and buildings. They claim the law conflicts with Article 371A of the Constitution, which protects the laws and customary procedures of the Nagas.
In February 2017, the state witnessed violent protests over the 33% women-reservation in urban local governments as mandated by Article 243(T) of the Constitution. The Naga Hoho, the state’s apex tribal body, and other groups had offered the same argument against women’s privacy in local bodies.
However, in March 2022, representatives from across Naga society unanimously agreed that urban body elections should be held with a 33% reservation for women.
“This is another case of contradiction that characterizes Naga society today. The Rio government caved in under pressure from the Naga Hoho and civil society organizations (CSOs). Opponents of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 have some genuine concerns about how the law could negatively impact the traditional rights of the Nagas guaranteed by Article 371A of the Indian Constitution. The government has failed to provide any substantive clarification to address the concerns raised by the people, other than stating that it is only following the directive of the Supreme Court,” a young political activist from Nagaland told TOI, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Following Tuesday’s assembly resolution, the state election commission canceled the civic body election, scheduled for May 16 after two decades, “until further notice.”
“Regarding the women’s protest against the repeal of the municipal law, there is some validity in their position, but the 33% reservation in the ULB is not the only reason the law was repealed. Indeed, a number of Hohos and CSOs have made it clear that they are not against the reservation of women in the ULB, but their concerns are broader which include land taxation, ambiguity over urban and rural jurisdiction, violation of Rule 371A etc. SU. So what has happened is that the issue of women’s empowerment has become a victim of other bigger issues of concern,” the activist added.
The move also exposes what many see as “double standards” from political parties, which pledged women’s empowerment in their 2023 election manifestos. The state has a government with no opposition.
Major women’s organizations in the state protested the move, questioning the intentions of Neiphiu Rio’s government. “Naga women oppose the decision to repeal this act and except that this was done without any civil dialogue or consultation with women,” said the Nagas This was stated in a statement by the Association of Mothers (Nma).
The NMA also said the two MLA women had remained silent during deliberations on the issue in the assembly earlier this week. The duo — Hekani Jakhalu AND Salhoutuonuo Kruse of the NDPP ruling – had created history by being the first female legislators of Nagaland in its 60 years of statehood. The results of the assembly poll were released on March 2.
So what was the problem with the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001? There were reportedly pressures from tribal organizations and civil society groups on the government to repeal the law. These organizations oppose the law as it provides for a 33% quota for women and levies taxes on land and buildings. They claim the law conflicts with Article 371A of the Constitution, which protects the laws and customary procedures of the Nagas.
In February 2017, the state witnessed violent protests over the 33% women-reservation in urban local governments as mandated by Article 243(T) of the Constitution. The Naga Hoho, the state’s apex tribal body, and other groups had offered the same argument against women’s privacy in local bodies.
However, in March 2022, representatives from across Naga society unanimously agreed that urban body elections should be held with a 33% reservation for women.
“This is another case of contradiction that characterizes Naga society today. The Rio government caved in under pressure from the Naga Hoho and civil society organizations (CSOs). Opponents of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 have some genuine concerns about how the law could negatively impact the traditional rights of the Nagas guaranteed by Article 371A of the Indian Constitution. The government has failed to provide any substantive clarification to address the concerns raised by the people, other than stating that it is only following the directive of the Supreme Court,” a young political activist from Nagaland told TOI, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Following Tuesday’s assembly resolution, the state election commission canceled the civic body election, scheduled for May 16 after two decades, “until further notice.”
“Regarding the women’s protest against the repeal of the municipal law, there is some validity in their position, but the 33% reservation in the ULB is not the only reason the law was repealed. Indeed, a number of Hohos and CSOs have made it clear that they are not against the reservation of women in the ULB, but their concerns are broader which include land taxation, ambiguity over urban and rural jurisdiction, violation of Rule 371A etc. SU. So what has happened is that the issue of women’s empowerment has become a victim of other bigger issues of concern,” the activist added.
