Dimapur: The announcement of a ‘Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra’ in Nagaland’s state capital Kohima to promote the ban on cow slaughter has drawn sharp reactions from the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), an ally of BJP, and the Naga People’s Front (NPF).
In a statement issued on Monday (September 9, 2024), the NDPP said being a regional political party representing the people of Nagaland, protecting their rights, privileges and sentiments is its foremost priority.
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The party urged the organisers of the yatra to reconsider their decision to hold the programme in Nagaland. It also requested the state government to intervene at the earliest so that the prevalent socio-religious harmony and brotherhood is not disturbed.
“Article 371A of the Constitution of India protects the religious and social practices of the Nagas and the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The state government had decided not to implement the ban on Cow Slaughter Act 2019 based on the constitutional provisions of Article 371A,” it said.
The NDPP said while the decision of the Nagaland Assembly and the government still stands, a programme organised to promote the ban on cow slaughter may hurt the sentiments of the Naga people and affect the socio-religious harmony prevailing in the state.
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Saying that it respects the social and religious beliefs of each and every citizen of this diverse nation, the party said it also expects that the religious and social practices of the Naga people must also be similarly respected by others.
“Organising such an event as announced would go against the sentiments of the majority of the people of Nagaland and will also be undermining the powers conferred upon the state legislature and the state government by the Constitution of India,” it added.
In a statement on Monday, NPF Legislature Party leader Kuzholuzo (Azo ) Nienu expressed shock at the cow slaughter ban programme in Kohima.
Vehemently condemning and objecting the proposed programme, Nienu said this kind of imposition on the citizens tantamounts to infringement of freedom of individual rights to choice of food.
Recollecting the ‘beef festival’ protest in the state capital by the NPF cadres in July 2017, Nienu reiterated his commitment to condemn imposition of food choice in a predominantly beef-eating population in Nagaland.