Nagaland: Permission denied for proposed Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra in Kohima

Guwahati: Citing maintenance of public order, the Nagaland cabinet on Wednesday denied permission for the proposed Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra in Kohima.

The Yatra is to promote nationwide ban on cow slaughter and is scheduled to arrive in Kohima on September 28.

On Wednesday, Minister for Forest, Environment & Climate Change, and Village Guards CL John, also a government spokesperson, said the Cabinet decision was made after considering the opposition voiced by various civil society organisations and political parties.


The government also cited Article 371A, which safeguards Naga religious and social practices and customary law, as a factor in its decision, he said.

Political entities, including the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and its allies BJP, along with the Naga Peoples' Front (NPF) and civil society organizations such as the Naga Mothers' Association and Naga Students' Federation, voiced their opposition.

Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) main ally, the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) also issued a statement saying that Article 371A of the Constitution of India protects the religious and social practices of the Nagas and the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA).

“Article 371A of the Constitution of India protects the religious and social practices of the Nagas and the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) and the government of Nagaland have decided not to implement the Ban on Cow Slaughter Act 2019 based on the constitutional provisions of Article 371A. Today, while the decision of the NLA and the government still stands, a programme organised to promote the ban on cow slaughter may hurt the sentiments of the Naga people and may also affect the socio-religious harmony prevailing in the state,” the NDPP said.