'Dehumanising': Nagaland CM Urges Centre To Intervene, Stop Auction Of Naga Ancestral Skull In UK

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday called on the central government to intervene and stop the proposed auction of a “19th-century horned Naga human skull” in the United Kingdom.

In a letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, CM Rio expressed that the auction of human remains belonging to 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 stated in his letter.

Highlighting the issue of the proposed auction, Nagaland CM noted that the news has been received negatively by all sections 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 said.

He further stated that the remains of any deceased person belong to “their people and their land.”

The Naga Chief Minister urged Jaishankar to take up this matter with the Indian High Commission in the UK to ensure that the auction of the Naga human remains is halted.

Rio said he was informed about the proposed auction by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), an organisation representing the Nagas. The FNR notified the Chief Minister that a “19th-century horned Naga human skull” is included in an auction by a firm in the United Kingdom.

The estimated value of the Naga human remains is between £3,500 and £4,000.

The Naga ancestral skull is part of an auction titled “The Curious Collector Sale” and is catalogued alongside antiquarian books, manuscripts, paintings, jewellery, ceramics, and furniture, according to the FNR.

The FNR asserted that the auction of the human remains contravenes Article 15 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which 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.”

(With inputs from PTI)