UKHRUL: The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) on Sunday issued a clarification defending its use of the term “Kacha Naga” in a recent statement, asserting that the expression is an officially recognised tribal designation under Indian law and not a derogatory term.
The clarification follows demands from certain quarters seeking an apology from the KZC for referring to Nagas by the term in its earlier press statement.
KZC spokesperson Ginza Vualzong, in a press release stated that the term “Kacha Naga” has long been part of India’s constitutional and statutory records governing the list of Scheduled Tribes.
According to the KZC, the designation was first included in the list of Scheduled Tribes in Manipur through the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 1956, and was subsequently retained in the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 1976.
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The KZC release further pointed out that the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Act, 2011, which came into effect in 2012, modified the entry to read “Kacha Naga, Liangmai, Zeme,” distinguishing the constituent tribes while retaining the original term within the official Scheduled Tribe list.
“KZC therefore reiterates that its use of the term was based solely on the existing constitutional and legal nomenclature recognised by the Government of India. No disrespect or offence was intended toward any community,” the KZC said.
The KZC maintained that if any section of society believes the terminology requires revision, the appropriate course of action would be to seek amendments to the relevant official records and statutory provisions through the competent authorities.
“Holding KZC responsible for using a term that remains part of the official Scheduled Tribe classification is unwarranted and misplaced,” the statement added.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining respectful relations among all communities and urged stakeholders to focus on constructive dialogue and mutual understanding.
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