Editor,
Some people say that women in Meghalaya have come a long way because at the present juncture women are holding the powerful posts of Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills District. This may be true insofar as women’s position in modern democratic institutions is concerned but when it comes to traditional institutions, women without a doubt are still stuck where they were centuries ago. To cite an instance, there was an election to the office of the Rangbah Shnong of Lumdiengjri locality conducted by the Hima Mylliem where women were debarred from voting under the so called “Mylliem Act”. Subsequently, the
“elected” Rangbah Shnong held a Dorbar where once again only men were allowed to vote and elect the other office bearers like the Asst. Rangbah Shnong, Secretary, etc. When questioned, all concerned hid behind the fig leaf of “tradition”. This happened despite a Meghalaya High Court Judgment allowing women to participate in the election of Headman and other office bearers of the shnongs.
In this regard, a report by the “Hindustan Times” dated February 1, 2020 may be referred to. As per this report the women of Nohwet village approached the High Court of Meghalaya when they were deprived of their right to vote and elect their Headman and the Hon’ble High Court went ahead and empowered the women with the right to vote in the elections of traditional institutions. This judgment of the Hon’ble High Court should have served as a guide to all subsequent elections to traditional institutions but instead the Hima Mylliem disregarded the judgment of the Hon’ble High Court and subsequent elections to Himas and Shnongs continued without the women.
Under the circumstances, I believe that the arbitrary and retrograde actions of the Hima Mylliem and the Lumdiengjri Dorbar constitute a contempt of court and is a fit case for suo-moto action by the Hon’ble High Court and the Meghalaya State Commission for Women.
When it comes to the Dorbar Shnongs, may be recalled that because of their arbitrary and whimsical actions, the Hon’ble High Court of Meghalaya had truncated several of its functions in its order dated 10th December 2014 and inter alia observed that “… no rule of law or the constitution has empowered them. They try to function at their whims and run a parallel government. As a result, common citizens are the worst sufferers which should not be allowed at any cost.” Further, the Hon’ble Supreme Court in its order dated 12th February 2016 while providing partial relief from the above High Court order allowed “the persons occupying the posts of headmen to continue to function subject to the various instructions framed by the Autonomous District Council as per law under the sixth schedule of the Constitution of India.” In this connection, is not the KHADC duty bound to see that the laws made by the Hima Mylliem and the actions of the Rangbah Shnongs do not violate the tenets of our Constitution when discriminatory, misogynistic and arbitrary laws like the ” Mylliem Act” are applied?.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email
Which side are you on?
Editor,
In 1918, Ukraine became a free country. After 3 years of independence in 1921, Lenin invaded Ukraine. During the Cold War, Ukraine was part of the USSR but became free after the disintegration of the USSR in 1991. Ukraine looking back to their history and also the present scenario like in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea, parts of Georgia and also interfered in the Luhansk and Donetsk area it felt unsafe. Ukraine for the first time in the Brussels summit evinced interest to join NATO and in recent years they were sure about joining the alliance as Russia kept on stretching their power in the region. NATO welcomed Ukraine with open arms which worried Russia. In fact, Russia played the victim by accusing NATO of creating a threat for them when in fact Russia is the one creating a hostile environment for neighbouring countries.
Well, the Russians may have their own reasons too but are those reasons enough to justify their actions? There are no justifications. Thousands of Russian civilians protesting against Vladimir Putin knowing that he is a dictator and strict actions will be taken against them is worth applauding. Russia is facing condemnation from across the world with only a handful of friends by their side. Which side are we on? Well, the answer should be “Humanity”.
Yours etc.,
Joseph Lalchhuanawma Rokhum
Law-u-sib, madanriting Shillong Meghalaya.
Shillong- 21
Russia playing with fire
Editor,
The barbaric invasion of Ukraine by Russia has once again proved that the world is still far distant from attaining the ideal height of civilization. Instead of an ardent desire to attain the divine height of peace and love, it is the imperialist mindset of dominance over others through expansion of territories or imposition of language-religion-culture-ideology over others unfortunately that still rules the roost. All right-thinking persons and countries of the world are thankfully protesting against the Russian-engineered mayhem taking a huge toll upon lives and properties of innocent Ukrainians with even the soldiers of aggressor Russia destined to pay with their lives causing immense suffering and pain to their families back home ! After all, the fangs of war and aggression are bound to annihilate all; akin to playing with fire.
Unfortunately, a section of the population don’t seem to realise the horrific consequences of war. No wonder why bold announcements of intrusion in foreign territories and bombing from high above killing “numerous aliens” promptly catches the imagination of that section of society!
Are these “nationalists” aware of the woes of the innocent people(of our own country) who get stranded in the war zone often losing their lives, huts, animals and properties or get displaced from their habitats; thereby suffering a huge toll on the physical economic psychological front ! In these times of muscular “nationalism” with the “patriots” baying for blood of “enemies” from safe refuge of their homes located hundreds and thousands of miles away from the war front, it requires compassion to feel the pain, loss and helplessness of the innocents who find themselves amidst the shower of bullets and shells !
Gurmehar Kaur, the young daughter of a Kargil martyr, had asserted “Pakistan didn’t kill my father; War did.” This invited a lot of threats and cuss words from the “patriots”! Yes, irrespective of national identities, innocent citizens stranded in war zones, professional army men and their families of both sides of the divide are bound to suffer severe repercussions. But their remains unappreciated by the war-mongering “patriots” in safe zones and the powerful leaders who gloat over much-flaunted “victories”!
Lastly, as far as the world is concerned, it has no scope to act “neutral” in this episode of aggression. Remember, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” If the world claims to be humane and civilised, then all countries should learn to draw inspiration from Desmond Tutu’s eternal call of humanity, truth, sanity and fair play by discarding all pretence of “neutrality”.
Yours etc.,
Kajal Chatterjee,
Kolkata