Guwahati: SC judge Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said that the distinctive customary laws and traditions of the Naga people are protected by the Constitution. The Supreme Court has also recognised and upheld these customary traditional laws.
Justice Kaul was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 23rd Hornbill Festival at Kisama village in Kohima.
The Supreme Court Judge told the residents of Nagaland that in his capacity as Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority, he would close the gaps to ensure that everyone had access to justice.
He claimed that Naga people value peace and coexistence with their distinctive cultural and traditional system.
Justice Kaul added that while he was in Nagaland, he had the opportunity to experience the kindness and warmth of the Naga people, who are renowned for more than only their bravery.
He referred to Nagaland as the “Land of Festivals,” added that it has gained recognition as a tourist destination on a national and international level, which is a step in the right direction for the state’s development, and expressed his hope that the festival would bring people from all over the world together and foster a sense of unity in diversity.
Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio said during his speech that the festival is a time for people to come together and celebrate the past, present, and—most importantly—the richness and distinctiveness of the Naga heritage with the rest of the world.
Currently, he said, “We all need unity, not just in our industry but in our society, the unity to work together and to take the correct and appropriate decisions, to continue going forward together.”
Chief Minister Rio expressed his gratitude to the Naga people, the visiting tourists, the cultural groups and artists who had travelled from all over Nagaland to participate in the Festival.
He asked the tourists and visitors to serve as ambassadors of the distinctive Naga experience in order for more people to enjoy the Hornbill Festival in the upcoming years.
The 10-day Hornbill festival is place at Kisama, a Naga Heritage hamlet, 12 kilometres from Kohima, the nation’s capital.
The 23rd edition of the Hornbill Festival, which Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar officially opened on December 1st, celebrated Nagaland’s rich cultural legacy, deep-rooted traditions, and magnificence. A cultural extravaganza, the festival aims to revive, defend, and conserve the richness and distinctiveness of Naga tradition.