Nagaland CM seeks Centre's intervention to stop auction of ‘Naga human skull’ in UK
Kohima (PTI): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday sought the intervention of the Centre to stop a proposed auction of a “19th century horned Naga human skull” in the United Kingdom scheduled for Wednesday.
The auctioning of human remains deeply hurts the sentiments of the people, and it is an act of dehumanization and is considered as continued colonial violence upon the Naga people, Rio said in a letter to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
“The news of the proposed auction of Naga human remains in the UK has been received by all sections in a negative manner as it is a highly emotional and sacred issue for our people. It has been a traditional custom of our people to give the highest respect and honour for the remains of the demised,” said Rio.
The human remains of any deceased person belong to their people and land, he said in the letter.
The CM urged Jaishankar to take up this matter with the Indian High Commission in the UK so that steps are taken to ensure that the auction of the Naga human remains is stopped.
Rio said he was informed about the proposed auction by Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), an organisation of the Nagas.
The FNR informed the CM that a “19th century horned Naga human skull” is part of an auction by an firm in the United Kingdom.
The value of the Naga human remains is estimated at 3,500 to 4,000 UK pounds.
The Naga ancestral human skull is part of an auction titled “The curious collector sale” and is catalogued alongside antiquarian books, manuscripts, paintings, jewellery, ceramics and furniture, the FNR informed Rio.
The FNR asserted that the auction of the human remains contravenes Article 15 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) which says: "Indigenous Peoples have a right to the dignity and diversity of their cultures, traditions, histories and aspirations which shall be appropriately reflected in education and public information."
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
