ALIFA condemns threats against Naga women’s rights leader, demands action and protection

By A Representative

The All-India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA), affiliated with the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), has strongly condemned the rape and death threats issued on social media against Prof. Rosemary Dzuvichu, a prominent women’s rights leader and academic based in Kohima.

Prof. Dzuvichu, who serves as Advisor to the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA), was targeted with abusive posts by an individual identified as WJ Longkumer, warning her to stop advocating for women’s political reservation. While the accused has been arrested, ALIFA has demanded a thorough investigation, swift prosecution, and immediate measures to ensure her safety.

The organization recalled that Prof. Dzuvichu has long been at the forefront of the struggle for women’s reservations in Nagaland’s municipal bodies, despite facing consistent intimidation. In 2017, she and fellow activists pushed for the implementation of the Nagaland Municipal (First Amendment) Act of 2006, which provided 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies as mandated under the 74th Amendment to the Indian Constitution.

The move faced strong resistance from traditional bodies, with violent protests and threats against women candidates. Despite setbacks, the Supreme Court in 2023 directed the Nagaland government to conduct elections with the mandated reservations, and in June 2024, women contested and won 102 of 278 seats across municipalities and town councils.

ALIFA expressed concern that the recent threats represent a continuing attempt to silence women entering political spaces under the pretext of protecting customs and traditions. The collective called for the police to act firmly on the FIR filed by Prof. Dzuvichu on September 24, 2025, and to guarantee her security along with that of other women activists. It also urged social media platforms to curb the spread of misogynistic and violent content and pressed the government to ensure that Naga women can exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to political participation without fear.

The statement was endorsed by over 40 activists, academics, lawyers, and cultural practitioners from across India, including representatives of ALIFA, NAPM, the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, and other feminist and grassroots organizations. The signatories affirmed solidarity with Prof. Dzuvichu and reiterated their commitment to dismantling patriarchal structures that obstruct women’s participation in political life.

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