Mokokchung, 7 November (MTNews): Following the DMK’s RS Bharathi’s “controversial” remarks on Nagaland, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nagaland has taken a firm stand against what they perceived as an insult to the Naga identity. As reported in this newspaper, Bharathi had earlier said, “Even the people who eat dog meat had enough self-respect to chase the governor out of the state. We must not forget how much more self-respect Tamils who eat their food with salt have.”
The comments, branding the entire Naga community as “dog-eaters,” have sparked outrage and a resolute response from the BJP Nagaland. Addressing the media at the State BJP headquarters in Kohima, Kropol Vitsu, the State BJP Vice President and Advisor of Prisons and Printing & Stationery, said that Bharathi had no right to insult the Nagas based on their dietary habits. He went further by classifying these remarks as a severe form of ‘racial discrimination’ and declared that the BJP Nagaland would not tolerate such racism. Vitsu assured that the party would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that Bharathi faces legal consequences for his comments.
Vitsu underscored the historical and cultural significance of dog meat in Naga society, emphasizing that it has been used in religious rites for generations. He noted that even today, this practice can be observed at the entrance gates of Naga villages. Bharathi’s comments, in Vitsu’s view, not only violated fundamental rights but also amounted to sacrilege against the Naga people.
Advisor Vitsu also appreciated Governor of Tamil Nadu RN Ravi for coming to the rescue of the Nagas by saying that Nagas are brave, honest, and dignified people. Further, Vitsu questioned the Congress as to why its INDIA Alliance partner DMK was allowed to cast aspersions not only against the Nagas but demean whole ethnic groups having diverse cultures and practices in India.
Nagaland Governor’s take on the issue
Meanwhile, Governor of Nagaland La Ganesan also expressed his deep concern and sadness over Bharathi’s derogatory remarks about the Naga people. He stressed that such unwarranted generalizations, portraying the entire Naga community as dog-eaters, were not only in poor taste but also an affront to the diverse and dignified Naga culture.
“Nagaland is home to a rich and varied heritage, where every tribal group brings its unique culture and tradition to our vibrant tapestry. To stereotype and belittle the entire population based on the dietary preference of a few is not only disrespectful but inevitably leads to the distortion of our identity,” the governor stated. He emphasized that a person’s character, dignity, and value are not defined by their eating habits.
Governor Ganesan highlighted the peaceful coexistence and mutual respect that the Tamil and Naga communities have enjoyed, both in Nagaland and Tamil Nadu. He refuted the false claim that former governor RN Ravi was “chased out” of Nagaland and cited the admiration and respect Ravi has received from the Nagas.
As the Governor of Nagaland, he strongly condemned Bharathi’s remarks and called on all to discourage such behaviors but promote mutual respect and strengthen unity. He appealed to leaders to exercise caution and respect when discussing diverse cultures and encouraged mutual respect among all communities.
“I also appeal to the people of Nagaland to ignore this statement as it does not reflect the real voice of the Tamil people,” the governor added.
RPP cautions on identity politics
Amid the ongoing “dog-eaters” controversy, the Rising People’s Party (RPP) has in a press statement dared the People for Animals, Nagaland Chapter, “to lobby Maneka Gandhi in passing a legislation in the Indian Parliament.”
According to RPP, today, the “gullible Nagas” leading People for Animals, Nagaland Chapter, do not realize the “insidious agenda of their masters in Delhi” and desperately want to ban dog meat in the state. According to RPP, the masters are those people who profess to be ‘clean/unpolluted’ and ‘veg’ with their stated goal of ‘purifying’ or ‘cleansing’ Naga tribals and other minorities of their ‘impurity’.
In this context, the RPP reminded the Naga people that the issue is not trivial but is part of a broader “One nation, One Culture” agenda with the aim of “Sanskritizing” all minority cultures and communities within Bharat.
“To eat or not to eat dog meat is a personal choice,” asserted the RPP and reminded how Home Minister Amit Shah’s proposal to impose beef ban in India was stridently opposed by many communities and thus was shelved.
‘Nothing to be ashamed of’
“Nagas eating dog meat is part of our cultural heritage, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of,” stated the RPP. The party highlighted the extensive documentation of dog meat consumption among the Nagas by anthropologist JH Hutton, who served as a British Raj Administrator in the Naga Hills of Assam. The RPP contended that the majority of Nagas partake in dog meat consumption, and therefore, if Nagaland is called “The land of dog meat eaters,” so be it.
The RPP further accused various “self-styled organizations,” particularly the People for Animals led by Maneka Gandhi, of attempting to impose their ideologies on the Naga people. It argued that whether it’s a beef or dog meat ban, these agendas form part of the broader ideological struggle in India’s political and cultural landscape, and it is essential to avoid becoming pawns and puppets.
“While the RPP is focused on good governance, the bigger picture of “Identity Politics” is too dangerous to be ignored,” it maintained.