The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has expressed its concerns regarding the proposed ‘Gau Dhwaj Yatra,’ scheduled for September 28, 2024, in Kohima. The event, aimed at promoting the ban on cow slaughter, has been widely reported in local media, prompting the NDPP to issue a statement emphasizing the potential impact on the sentiments of the people of Nagaland.
In their statement, the NDPP made it clear that while they are “a secular political party with its principles enshrined in the Constitution of India,” being a regional party, their foremost priority is “protecting the rights, privileges, and sentiments of the people of the State.” The party highlighted the importance of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution, which safeguards the “religious and social practices” of the Naga people. The NDPP stressed that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) and the state government had already decided against implementing the “Ban on Cow Slaughter Act 2019” in light of these constitutional provisions.
“The decision of the NLA and the Government still stands,” the statement reads, warning that a program aimed at promoting the ban could “hurt the sentiments of the Naga people and may also affect the socio-religious harmony prevailing in the State.”
The NDPP also reiterated its respect for the “social and religious beliefs of each and every citizen of this diverse Nation,” while calling for a reciprocal respect for the traditions and practices of the Naga people. They pointed out that the Republic of India has always allowed states to decide on laws and legislations based on their unique needs, noting that other regions such as the North-East, Kerala, and West Bengal have similarly chosen not to implement the 2019 Act.
“In such a scenario, to organize such an event as announced would go against the sentiments of the majority of the people of the State and will also be undermining the powers conferred upon the State Legislature and the State government by the Constitution of India,” the statement further explained.
In light of these concerns, the NDPP urged the organizers of the ‘Gau Dhwaj Yatra’ to “reconsider their proposal” and called upon the Nagaland government to “intervene at the earliest” to ensure that the “prevalent socio-religious harmony and brotherhood is not disturbed.”