Nagaland CM calls for urgent halt to 'dehumanising' auction of Naga ancestral skull in UK
- In Reports
- 05:11 PM, Oct 09, 2024
- Myind Staff
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has urged the central government to stop the planned auction of a "19th-century horned Naga human skull" in the United Kingdom. In his letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, CM Rio stated that the auction of human remains from the Naga community "deeply hurts the sentiments" of the people in the state.
“It is an act of dehumanisation and is considered as continued colonial violence upon the Naga people,” he said in his letter. Nagaland Chief Minister emphasised the problem with the planned auction and said that the news has not gone well with any part of the Naga community.
“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,” Rio added. He went on to say that every deceased person's remains belong to "their people and their land."
In an effort to stop the auction of the Naga human remains, the Chief Minister of Nagaland urged EAM Jaishankar to bring up this issue with the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom. Rio claimed that the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), a group that advocates for the Naga people, notified him of the planned auction. A "19th-century horned Naga human skull" is being auctioned off by a UK company, the FNR informed the Chief Minister.
The Naga human remains are estimated to be worth £3,500–£4,000. According to the FNR, the Naga ancestral skull is included in the catalogue for the "The Curious Collector Sale," an auction that will also feature antiquarian books, manuscripts, paintings, jewellery, ceramics, and furniture.
Article 15 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) states, "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." The FNR claimed that the auction of the human remains violates this provision.
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