The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has strongly condemned the recent misleading article by Rajesh Kumar Sethi, published under the credentials of the Indian National Congress.
His assertions, questioning the constitutional validity of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Dimapur and misrepresenting the historical realities and rights of the Naga people, are not only erroneous but deeply provocative.
We view Mr. Sethi’s article as a direct assault on these fundamental rights and a dangerous attempt to sow discord and confusion in our society.
Mr. Sethi’s claims regarding “legal residents” being left in limbo and the alleged violation of “Article 14 and Equality Principles” demonstrate a profound misunderstanding of India’s constitutional framework, particularly concerning tribal areas. The ILP is a protective mechanism, sanctioned by the very spirit of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution, specifically designed to safeguard the unique socio-economic and cultural identity, land ownership, and traditional practices of indigenous communities like the Nagas.
It is not an act of discrimination but a necessary measure to prevent the demographic imbalance and cultural erosion that unchecked immigration would inevitably cause. The Supreme Court has, on numerous occasions, upheld similar protective legislations for indigenous populations.
Furthermore, his assertion of a “Fear of Dispossession Among Future Generations” for non-Nagas conveniently inverts the true narrative. The actual and grave fear of dispossession resides within the indigenous Naga people if the ILP is not strictly enforced. Uncontrolled influx threatens our ancestral land, resource control, cultural integrity, and economic opportunities for our future generations. The ILP is a crucial safeguard against the dispossession of the indigenous, not a cause of it for others.
Most offensively, Mr. Sethi’s claim that “Dimapur Was Never a Tribal Area” is historically false and deeply insulting to the Naga people. Dimapur is unequivocally Naga ancestral land.
The historical notification (L.R.2/11-76/1979) did not make Dimapur a tribal area; it merely re-affirmed and corrected an administrative anomaly, recognizing its inherent status. To deny this is to deny the very history and identity of the Naga people who have inhabited and governed this land for centuries.
The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union demands an immediate and unequivocal answer from the Indian National Congress:
- Was Mr. Sethi’s article, which fundamentally attacks the constitutional rights and historical safeguards of the Naga people, officially endorsed by the Indian National Congress?
- Does the Indian National Congress officially condone and support the views expressed in this article, which are clearly against the interests and sentiments of the Naga people and in contradiction to the protective spirit of the Indian Constitution towards tribal communities?
- What is the Indian National Congress’s official and unambiguous stance on the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Nagaland, particularly in Dimapur, and its role in protecting indigenous rights?
The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union reiterates that the ILP’s constitutionality is valid, necessary, and vital for the protection of indigenous land, job, and welfare rights for Nagas.
We stand firm in our resolve to defend our identity and land. Any attempt by any individual or political party to dilute or remove these protective measures will be met with the strongest possible resistance from the Naga community.
We urge all right-thinking citizens to see through such divisive narratives and join hands to protect our collective future. The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union remains committed to ensuring that the wisdom of our culture prevails and that progress is achieved with unity.
Issued by:
Dimapur Naga
Students’ Union (DNSU)