ITANAGAR, 1 Aug: The Nyishi Nyidung Nyvgjwvng Rallying (NNMR), a social body of the Nyishi community, has urged the Nyishi Elite Society (NES) to initiate appropriate action against three individuals over alleged remarks concerning the Nyishi tribe, its indigenous faith, cultural practices,and the use of the term ‘Nyishi’ by a religious denomination.

In a memorandum dated 10 July addressed to the NES president, the NNMR sought explanation and clarification from James Techi Tara over what it described as repeated “defamatory statements” about the origin of the Nyishi tribe, the indigenous Donyi-Polo faith, the traditional Nyishi headgear (podum) and the Nyokum Yullo festival. The organisation also sought action against Nyishi MLA Nikh Kamin over his alleged derogatory remarks on the Nyokum festival, and objected to the use of Nyishi as a prefix by the Nyishi Baptist Church Council.

According to the memorandum signed by Nabam Naka Hina, the president of the NNMR, Tara had allegedly claimed during public discussions that the Nyishi tribe migrated from Israel, that  the podum was introduced by the Nyishi Baptist Church Council, and that the Donyi-Polo religion originated in Mesopotamia.

The NNMR termed the statements historically unsubstantiated and misleading, asserting that they undermined the community’s indigenous identity, cultural heritage and religious traditions. It said the Nyishi people possess a distinct historical, genealogical and cultural lineage, and that no historical evidence supports the claims allegedly made. The organisation said that video recordings of the statements have been enclosed with the memorandum.

The NNMR also defended Nyokum Yullo as the Nyishi community’s most sacred annual festival, stating that it has been observed since ancestral times and is officially recognised by the Arunachal Pradesh government. It alleged that repeated comments describing the festival and its rituals in a derogatory manner are intended to demean indigenous beliefs and could disturb communal harmony.

Referring to a media interaction involving Nyishi MLA Nikh Kamin, the NNMR alleged that the legislator made disparaging remarks about celebrating Nyokum, hurting the sentiments of the community. It urged the NES to examine the matter and take action under its bylaws and applicable laws.

The memorandum further argued that Nyishi is the name of an indigenous tribal community and represents people of diverse faiths. It expressed concern that the use of the community’s name by a particular religious denomination could create confusion between ethnic identity and religious affiliation, and requested the NES to determine whether the present nomenclature appropriately reflects the inclusive identity of the Nyishi people while respecting constitutional rights.

The NNMR appealed to the NES to take appropriate action to preserve communal harmony, mutual respect and the cultural identity of the Nyishi community.