Editor
The Kohima district administration has issued a notification stating that children of non-Naga fathers, as well as non-Naga children adopted by Naga parents, will not be eligible for scheduled tribe, backward tribe, or indigenous inhabitant tribe certificates.
Citing a 2012 Government of Nagaland order, the notification emphasizes that such individuals should not be granted these certificates. The district administration has directed the concerned Area Administrative Officers to rigorously verify the authenticity of applicants before forwarding their requests to the issuing authority. Additionally, the Village Councils and GBs (Gaon Burahs) within the respective jurisdiction have been instructed to adhere to the government order.
It is noteworthy that in 2006, the Supreme Court ruled that children born to a tribal woman and a non-tribal husband cannot claim scheduled tribe status or seek government employment under reserved categories. The court held that individuals raised in a non-tribal environment are not subjected to the disabilities experienced by scheduled tribes. The judgment emphasized that procuring fraudulent caste certificates undermines the Constitution and infringes upon the rights enshrined in Articles 14 (Right to Equality) and 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty). The court highlighted the need for thorough verification to prevent the misuse of reserved quotas and ensure that deserving candidates receive their rightful opportunities.