Kohima: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has alleged that the special provision for Nagaland under Article 371 (A) of the Constitution is being manipulated by individuals or groups to suit vested interest.
In a press release, NSF vice-president Sinhilo Thong and general secretary Ejanthung Ngullie made the statement in the backdrop of the ongoing tussle over the implementation of the Women Reservation Bill in Nagaland.
The NSF said wider consultations is needed before viewing issues through the eyes of Article 371 (A).
“The NSF also feels that article 371(A) is often misinterpreted to suit the designs of few vested individuals or groups and hence maintains that proper consultation and wide discussion is required as to the implementation of article 371(A) for the greater common good,” the release said.
The NSF also said after carefully observing the developments over the Women’s Reservation Bill, it expressed unhappiness at the ‘manner’ in which the issue of Women’s Reservation has been blown out of proportion.
The NSF extended its ‘steadfast support’ towards women’s empowerment and acknowledged that gender inequality leads to unequal distribution of resources, power, prestige, rights and entitlements and “skewed representation in decision making processes.”
However, the NSF said it is ‘disgusted’ to learn that women representatives “abusively overacted upon the Advocate General of Nagaland C Balgopal with invective words” in the Court premise of Guwahati High Court on June 19.
The NSF also expressed concern at the women organisations statement that ‘the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments supersedes Article 371 (A)’. (UNI)