Guwahati, Oct 15: The Global Naga Forum (GNF) has reacted strongly to Arunachal Pradesh government’s decision to remove the term “Naga” from official usage, calling it a violation of the cultural heritage and historical identity of the Naga people residing in the districts of Tirap, Changlang, and Longding (TCL) in Arunachal Pradesh.

The state government has reportedly decided to stop using the designation “Any Naga tribe” and has instead recognized distinct tribes like the Tangsa, Tutsa, Nocte, and Wancho under the Indian Constitution.

According to the GNF, this move undermines the collective Naga identity in these districts, which has profound cultural and historical significance. The forum expressed concern that the decision dilutes the rights of the Naga people in Arunachal Pradesh, who have deep ancestral ties to the land.

“This decision not only disregards the inalienable rights of the Naga community but also contradicts the fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution of India, which guarantees the protection of cultural and linguistic diversity,” a statement of GNF said here on Monday.

The GNF said the Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression, which includes the right to express and preserve one’s cultural identity.

“Furthermore, Article 29 provides for the protection of the interests of minorities by ensuring their right to conserve their distinct language, script, or culture. By removing the Naga name from official usage, the Arunachal Pradesh government is disregarding these constitutional protections and denying the Naga community their right to identity and cultural preservation,” the GNF said.

They said the decision also violates Article 14, which guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws to every citizen of India. The removal of the Naga name specifically targets a particular community and denies them the right to use their traditional names, creating an atmosphere of discrimination. This action is inconsistent with the principles of equality and non-discrimination that form the core of our democratic framework.

“The inability of elected Naga representatives to effectively address these issues and uphold the rights of the Naga people further compounds the problem. The removal of the Naga name exacerbates these issues by stripping away their cultural identity, making it even more challenging to address the community’s concerns and aspirations,” they also said.

“It is worth recalling that the creation of a Patkai Autonomous Council for the TCL areas, as previously proposed by the government in 2004 under the leadership of former Home Minister James Wanglat, is a step in the right direction for addressing the aspirations of the Naga people. Such a council would align with the provisions under the competencies of the ongoing political negotiations between the GoI and the Naga people, which would safeguard the rights and interests of tribal Naga populations. This would further enable the Naga community to govern themselves, preserve their identity, and promote the development of their areas by their cultural values,” they further said.

“We earnestly appeal to the Arunachal Pradesh government to reconsider its decision in light of constitutional protections and the need to uphold the principles of justice and equality. This decision not only violates the fundamental rights of the Naga people but also risks alienating a significant section of the population. Reversing this decision would demonstrate the government’s commitment to upholding the constitutional values of diversity, inclusivity, and respect for all communities,” the GNF said.

Read: Meitei, Kuki, Naga MLAs from Manipur to meet in Delhi to find solution to state’s internal conflict

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