Oppose Women Reservation? Check out Your Mother First

In 2009, three government leaders - two of them senior government officials in the Nagaland government administration - wrote to me after one of my commentaries on the 33% Women Reservation Act went to publication. 

One article I wrote about women reservation that roused both strong disapproval and enthusiastic support alike, was one in which I indirectly referred to the situation in Mokokchung district at that time. Some local organizations "representing" the district's main tribal community oppose the women reservation.

*Note for foreign readers: Mokokchung is a district of Nagaland state. Nagaland is a Federal state of the republic of India. The district is home to the Ao Naga community.     

Of all the feedback I received after the article went to publication, the emails I received, separately, from the government leaders stood out. The reason was that their opinions were remarkably similar: "Why do you vouch for women reservation so much?"

Being someone who likes to think he enjoys scrutinizing every and any cycle of exchange, I interpreted their employing the word "vouch" as a more depoliticized - if tad diplomatic - term for 'fanaticism', naturally.

In all intent, I am unable to explain whether believing in a tenet or standing for a belief you must, could be "too much" or conversely, 'too less.'

Nonetheless, I wrote to them. You know, broaching social-political issues through emails is a task that at best is inconvenient and at worse, absurd. So, I wrote back simply thanking them for taking interest in my opinions; thanked them for serving us, the people and society.

A little on the deep side

Over the course of time, my emails with the three government leaders - with many other citizens of our state too - continued to be exchanged. We broached issues, exchanged ideas and even picked into the daily professional tasks we, as professionals, engaged in everyday, et al. In the meantime, my news reports, columns and articles continued with their run. Gradually pleasantries morphed into more elaborate 'conversations' such as sharing emotional experiences.

I recall vividly the experiences especially of the three government leaders about their early days of education and struggle when times were harsher in Nagaland. They offered identical stories: How their parents stood unflinchingly by them when days were nothing more than a long cycle on misery, frustrating toil and heart-breaking discouragement.

They wrote something in this nature:

'There was a time when everything said I should give up. But without my parents, particularly my mother, I wouldn't have made it this far. I owe all to them but my mother was the one who kept believing in me.'

Another wrote: 'The struggling was very difficult but my mother changed my life. She supported me from the beginning and she influenced my present position. It is only because of her that I was able to study, over come the struggle and get this position  etc. My parents were always supportive but my mother showed exemplary courage.'  

The third wrote something in this nature: 'If my mother was not there for me, I don't know where I would be.'

True stories from real people

I was grateful to them for sharing with me some personal pieces of their lives. Idiosyncrasies, I believe, are the chief reasons why misconceptions are born. People in position of power are not normally paragons of virtue, or for that matter, are less qualified candidates to fulfill Public Relations paradigms. But their stories were touching; ones that made you appreciate the gifts of God and life.

I knew right away that the time to strike, while the iron was hot, had arrived. 

I wrote:

One day I wrote back to each of the three something of this nature:

"Thank you for serving us and our people. I do believe you would continue to be at the high guard where the welfare of our people would not be so much an egalitarian obligation because you have been entrusted to looking after them. But because it is a sacred duty. I shall be praying that you continue to inspire, stand by them and prepare them toward the path of progress as, for instance, your mothers did when you needed a hand, a glimmer of hope and a support push. Just as your mothers changed your lives, I believe you can, too.

"I empathize with you and your ambition and pray that God would prosper your dreams. And if I may please mention, now you know exactly why I support 33% Women Reservation in Nagaland. The reason why I support it is simply for the one simple, plain and easy reason. My mother is a woman. 

"That your mother could be what she is to you, that your mother could impact where you are today, that your mother continues to be your beacon, just imagine, my dear friend, the impact on mankind every woman can have - because we all come from the ones who changed our lives; who changed our lives and who continue to change our lives - our mothers. And they are women.

"Yes, the one and the only reason why I support 33% Reservation for Women in Nagaland is exactly for the same reason that your lives were changed by her. You see, my mother changed mine too.And she is a woman."

Since writing to them the email, I have yet to hear the three wonderful people even faintly insinuate about why women reservation should not be implemented in Nagaland.