Nagaland police personnel, apart from maintaining law and order in the state, displayed their aptitude to engage in constructive discussion by engaging in a robust debate on the topic, “Naga women enjoy equal opportunity with men in Naga society”.
The 13th Nagaland police state level debate competition organised by Nagaland Police under the aegis of National Human Rights, New Delhi, on Saturday at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chümoukedima, witnessed an impressive deliberation among 15 participants from four ranges – Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung and Tuensang.
The team for the motion, comprising of seven participants, opened the debate by emphasising on equal opportunities enjoyed by Naga women in various spheres of life unlike women from other parts of the country.
Most of the debaters from the affirmative team emphasised on the point that Nagaland being a “caste and classless” society does not discriminate against women on any ground.
To buttress their point, the debaters laid emphasis on some constructive signs like high women literacy rate in Nagaland, increase of women professionals in government and private sectors, and equal privileges enjoyed by women in religious set ups like the Church, as being some of the signs of Naga women enjoying equal opportunities as men.
Putting across their argument, the ‘against the motion’ team pointed out the prejudice against women in Naga society, which they argued was deeply rooted in age-old customs and traditional practices of the Nagas.
They argued that with Naga society being a patriarchal society, where customary laws play a pivotal role in day to day lives of the people, the question of equality does not arise as gender discrimination was prevalent and apparent.
The debaters pointed out the stark absence of women in vital decision making bodies, especially in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), where not a single woman has been elected to the seat even after 55 years of statehood, as some of the main indicators of inequity between men and women.
They also pointed out that some Naga women are brainwashed by male ideologies and that Naga girls are brought up in a society where women are discriminated in the name of culture and traditions.
The debaters argued that there was no future for Naga women in a rigid patriarchal society unless cultural and traditional practices were reviewed or redefined.
After a sizzling debate, two debaters – CN, Khriephrienuo Hesso of 4th NAP Bn (Kohima range) and THC, Eyilobemo from DEF Mon (Mokokchung range) – representing the “against the motion” team bagged the first and third positions respectively while Hav. Chonben Erui from DEF Wokha representing the “for the motion team” bagged the second position.
Dimapur range was declared the best range and walked away with the trophy while certificates of participation were also given to all the debaters.
The debate was judged by DIG (CID/INT) Nagaland, Rajasekaran, Guwahati High Court advocate, Wangshikokla Jamir and EAC Medziphema, Sentilong Ozukum.
The chief host of the event was ADGP (L&O) Nagaland, Renchamo P Kikon; speaker was assistant commandant, 4th NAP Bn. Lucy Yhome; welcome and keynote addresses were delivered by DIG (HR & SJ) Nagaland, Imcharenla; and vote of thanks by SP (PHQ/HR & SJ) Nagaland, K Swarnambika.