Global Naga Forum (GNF) has condemned the Arunachal Pradesh government’s recent decision to remove the Naga name from official usage in the districts of Tirap, Changlang, and Longding (TCL).
The forum said that this decision has not only disregarded the inalienable rights of the Naga community but also contradicted fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution of India, which guarantees protection of cultural and linguistic diversity. Citing Article 19(1)(a), which provides for the right to freedom of speech and expression, and Article 29, which protects the rights of minorities to conserve their distinct language, script, or culture, the forum argued that the removal of the Naga name undermines these constitutional safeguards.
It further mentioned that the action violates Article 14, which guarantees equality before the law, and suggested that the removal of the Naga name targeted a particular Naga community, denying them the right to use their traditional names, creating an atmosphere of discrimination.
GNF further criticized the inability of elected Naga representatives to effectively address these pressing issues, noting that this failure compounds the problem. The removal of the Naga name, the forum stated, exacerbated these challenges by stripping away the cultural identity of the Naga people, making it even more difficult to address the community’s concerns and aspirations.
Recalling the 2004 proposal to create a Patkai Autonomous Council for TCL areas under the former home minister James Wanglat, the forum emphasized that such a council would help protect the rights and interests of the Naga population in alignment with ongoing political negotiations between the Government of India and the Nagas. The forum believes that the council would empower the Naga community to govern themselves while preserving their cultural identity.
The forum urged the Arunachal Pradesh government to reconsider its decision, arguing that it violates constitutional protections and the need to uphold the principles of justice and equality. The forum warned that failing to reverse the decision risks alienating a significant section of the population.
The forum also appealed to the state government to respect the identity and aspirations of the Naga people and work towards a peaceful and respectful coexistence among indigenous communities in Arunachal Pradesh.