The Nagaland Janata Dal United (JDU) has urged the state government to urgently enact a law on adoption to address growing concerns over the adoption of non-Nagas by indigenous Nagas.
In an open memorandum, the JDU highlighted the serious implications of unregulated adoption practices, particularly the adoption of non-Nagas by Naga families. It pointed out that while Article 371A of the Indian Constitution grants Nagaland special provisions, including autonomy over matters related to religious practices, Naga customary law, and land ownership, the issue of adoption remains inadequately addressed. It argued that this legal gap could potentially allow non-Nagas to gain entitlement to indigenous rights, especially in matters of inheritance and land ownership, through adoption.
“In so far as adoption is concerned, Nagas have the right to adopt anyone of their choice and grant them all rights of inheritance,” the memorandum stated. It emphasized that Naga customary law, which is recognized and protected by the Indian Constitution, makes adoption legally binding. “The need for the state of Nagaland to legislate a Law on Adoption is urgent to curb unscrupulous adoptions of non-Nagas,” the memorandum read.
According to the JDU, failure to address this issue could lead to a situation where vulnerable Nagas are manipulated into adopting non-Nagas for ulterior motives, allowing outsiders to gain access to Naga land and resources under the guise of adoption.
In the light of the above, the JDU has appealed the Chief Minister to move for Law of Adoption urgently, which would elaborately encompass and address the issue. Such law will protect the rights of indigenous Nagas. It will also enable a safe passage to genuine non-Nagas to live together with the Nagas cohesively in consonance with the law of the land, it added.