Rev. Fr. G. L. Khing
Kohima
The political life of the Nagas has been screwed up and down for the past few months. This has loosened the doors and windows of every department right down to every homes. The bolt and the screw do not match the show for some internal reason. That is why change of leadership has virulently attacked the local party again. But change of leadership will not bring the little mouse out of its hole. The mouse knows when to come out and go in.
May be it is time for the public to think deep beyond this circumstance and event and see for oneself the reality of darkish political life in Nagaland. Always remember that change of leadership does not necessarily bring about change in the life of the public. Therefore, the public has a say in the political wave of the State. The wholesale cleaning of the team may seem to work better in this political dilemma.
Shall we call this drama, the first phase of NBCC clean election campaign? Sometimes, we need to blame the Church for its ‘divide and rule policy.’ Even before the word ‘election’ is uttered from the mouth of the innocent public, there are churches which go around like ‘merry go’ only to bring greater disaster. If the Church is so worried about good system of election, it should intervene not for its own selfish gain, but for the general good of the public. The church has never strongly stood against the disaster of political management. It only go about roaring and mowing from place to place to make its presence felt among the Naga society.
I believe that those who have pledged themselves for ‘Clean election’ will go to Kaziranga and pull out all the bosses to come back to Nagaland. That will be the first and best cleaning you can contribute for the welfare of Nagas. I am sure the trusted and reputed Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers Association, JCC and NSF will act wisely in this juncture for the sake of Nagas.
The time has certainly come for the public to block Nagaland Gate so that no Ministers and MLAs go outside of Nagaland to discuss our internal problems. Failure in this work may worsen the situation of Nagaland. Yes, the notion seems foolish to many ears yet it will bring some relieve to some souls in Nagaland.
The present generation of Nagas is blessed to see the turmoil of politics. May be its time that we clean the whole vessel of politics and cook some other curry which may taste better to feed Nagas to sustain their life for another day. Change of dish will bring about better health and digestion. There may be some Nagas who could not digest the present plate of rice because of some missing ingredients. Many appeals and complaints has been made verbally and also in black and white but the cooks (political leaders) in the kitchen failed to address such issues. That is why Nagas eat poor food and sleep on the floor whereas the cooks fattened himself inside the closed door of the kitchen. This is the reason why Nagas are becoming thin and slim only to be fit into the eye of a needle.
No leader is to be blamed for this disaster for all Ministers and MLAs play the part of parting and welcoming. During this few months, there has been too many welcome and farewell in the Naga politics. Shall we allow this cyclone to go on? This life style may not be so healthy for it shakes and cuts the root of all walks of life. Without deep roots, even the best tree can dry up. Mind you, Nagas are drying up under the heat of political corruption and tragedy. If we do not stop this cyclone, the coming generation will live in the desert.
The elected political leaders move from one party to another in view of the greater share that awaits them from the centre. This move has been affecting the life of the public for so long. Are Nagas happy to live under the torn roof? We are not. May some young spiritual soul take over the political life of Nagas so that Nagas could gain better prospect of life. The stain of the present politics has been smeared all around. Hardly anyone is free from this pigment. What goes on in the politics affects the young and the old, the social and spiritual life. It is a sad note that we are all tossed upon by our elected members as flattened football.
We have elected them as our anchor but they have turned us into nomads leaving nothing behind to depend on. The poor voters live in rags under the tyrant rulers. This is because even what belongs to us is taken away forcefully from our soft holy hands. Is this action not hurting you? Do you feel the pinch of life under selfish rulers? Did your precious vote made you feel proud because you are counted among those who can decide the fate of Nagas? Do you own your life or sold it to someone who thrashes you underfoot day and night? We need to rise about ourselves to make our dreams shine as a crown on our head. For this, good and efficient leaders must emerge to avail such opportunity to the public.
There can be another uprising of the public if the Government does not believe in political stability. Off course those who shouted against T. R. Zeliang may not raise the same voice against Shürhozelie. The crowd knows whom to bark at and whom to please. The cunningness of the crowd also brings down rain and thunder from the clear sky. And Nagas are good for appeasing the tribal gods of war and hatred.
Dear Naga brothers and sisters, let us not play the game of cheating ourselves. We must march forward with greater vision of life, a life where you will be treated as a living person and not a stone to be thrown into the sea of politics.
