Let's see how Equality and tradition clash as Naga women in India’s northeast fight for political representation.

There are at present 17 Naga tribes in Nagaland, with distinct languages and customs.

The political violence erupted prior to municipal elections, when women’s organisations, under the leadership of the NMA, demanded the application of Indian law 243(T) ,in which states that 33% of seats should be reserved for women within local political bodies.

Their demand was vehemently rejected, and male politicians invoked “tribal traditions” as their main argument. The conflict spurred deadly street protests in which mobs attacked offices, and shops were destroyed in the main cities.

This situation contradicts a popular perception of gender equality in the Naga society. Naga women are often depicted as educated, hardworking and independent, and are admired for their enterprising spirit.

Naga society is also deeply patriarchal, and it is believed that women must be respected and their security cannot be compromised – especially by men.

But the traditional law of the Naga society clearly distinguishes gender roles and gendered responsibilities.

For instance, women are in charge of domestic issues, such as family and its related issues, while man deals with society, including village administration and councils .

Women have therefore been excluded from the political realm.

They are not allowed in the traditional village councils that oversee village management, and from “village development boards”, smaller local institutions that regulate economic projects.

Most villages in Nagaland have reserved 25% of village development boards seats for women, but that quota exists on paper only. In reality, traditional norms prevail.

The February 2017 elections could have changed history for Naga women.

Instead, confronted with violent civil unrest, the present Naga’s People Front (NPF) government had to defer the elections.

The strong opposition came from traditional tribal bodies, including the Naga Hoho groups.

These groups assert that granting women seats in local bodies would not only dilute the traditions of Naga society but also be “unconstitutional”.

They refer to the Article 371(A) of India’s Constitution which says that “no Act of Parliament” should apply to the State of Nagaland when regarding religious, political, social or law practices of the Nagas.

They refer to the Article 371(A) of India’s Constitution which says that “no Act of Parliament” should apply to the State of Nagaland when regarding religious, political, social or law practices of the Nagas.

The events surrounding have created a volatile situation where traditions, modernity and gender equality are at the crossroads. The events surrounding have snowballed to create a volatile situation where traditions, modernity and gender equality are at the crossroads.

Naga women groups have severed ties with their lead women’s organisation pushing for the 33% quota, the Naga Mothers Association. Whether the authorities go ahead with the gender reservation or not, Naga women may now find themselves in a lose-lose situation.