Handle sensitive issue with care & prayer

Rev. Fr. G. L. Khing Kohima

The talk of ‘Solution and Election’ has reached even the ears of the infants. The journey of ‘Solution for Nagas’ is so cloudy that numerous apprehensions began to emerge from all corners. Along with the hot spring of Solution, election campaign began to knock the doors and windows of every Naga home. The twin sound awoke the sleeping giants of Nagaland to the surprise of many. The gloomy solution may be productive, but the fruits may not be enjoyed by the Nagas. Bitter and sour fruits may be harvested at the end of the day if solution lands on the wrong dusty aerodrome. Volcanoes of bullets and fire can explode if we do not handle this sensitive issue with care and prayer.   The Government of India is too happy to play with the lives of the Nagas. The history of Nagas will clearly speak for itself. With the introduction of cease fire, Nagas have killed their own brothers and sisters to great extent. The good soil of Nagaland has been soaked sufficiently by innocent blood and tears. The seed of suspicion and mistrust sown by the Government of India has grown tall and big. While on the other hand, Nagas go on blaming each other. Different factions blame the weaknesses of each other without even lending a finger for the cause of Nagas. Today, that small pointing finger has grown wild. This has made the situation even worse. Everyone is big in their own way. Nobody wants to walk along with others neither lend an ear to listen the good side of the story. The commotion of ‘noise pollution’ among different leaders has confused the minds of the Nagas. All, the same, we need to shed some of our old skin to welcome the new flesh of cooperation. Differences in opinion and life style should not determine the fate of the Nagas. The coming together of the many political and civil societies can remove mountains of illusion.   How many times do we expect Mr. R. N. Ravi to come and step his feet into our land and dust it off before leaving? He goes back with laughter while Nagas remain with headache and backache? Nagas are being cheated miserably from time to time. Nagas do not need the Government of India to recognize its unique history and identity (be it political or social). Even without such recognition, the Nagas can remain ever happy by themselves. The Nagas are too worried about what other people say about them. They give less time to answer the basic question, ‘Who Am I (as a Naga)?” Failure to answer this question can lead to a state of ‘confused identity.’ We place our hope outside of us that is why there is ‘disordered unity’ among the Nagas.   Political parties in Nagaland take this sensitive issue and make it their political propaganda. The longer we wait, the worse it seems to be. Yes, every one needs to work for the betterment of Nagaland, but we do not want to politicize every Naga issue. This will degrade the importance of the existing issue. Some politicians who drained the wealth of Nagaland have suddenly become patriots. Is this not funny? The brittle Naga issue is pulled up and down with less care by many people. The term ‘Naga Solution’ can become a rag due to its constant usage.   We have come to a situation where every association is strongly or lightly influenced by politics. We have become much depended. Therefore, many truths are trampled upon. Moreover, the unstable Government has made us all unstable and feeble. All the same, we must learn to stand erect and take Nagas forward to realize their dreams and aspirations. This will make us true Nagas.   Today, many Nagas look like malnourished men and women. I say this because we have failed to give the right food and drink at the right time. The Church together with the civil bodies must supply the needs of the Nagas. For this, they must first be true to themselves. This calls for a sincere living which indeed is not easy for us. But with God by our side, I believe our battle against evil forces will be much stronger.   The misconceived ideas about each other in many forms have eaten our good will. It is our responsibility to clear all that hinder us from progressing towards our goal. We must therefore nourish and cherish each other so as to march together in unity and harmony as brothers and sisters under the same Sun and Moon.   I am sure we all have much concern for the people of Nagaland. Our concern must be concrete and not divisive. The habit of running so fast leaving the others behind is not the game to be played in the search for the solution. Let us learn to walk together. Let my strength and weakness be your experience in this journey. By this we learn to accept each other. Let us be a true Naga to each other. This will only pave the way towards better understanding of who we are. Let our dignity come from our unity.   It is important that we define our Naga cause. In other words, the cause of Nagas must be defined by the Nagas and not by outsiders. I must personally define ‘Who Am I’ rather than to be defined by others. ‘What you say about yourself is more important than what people say about you.’   Our faith in each other must find a home in God. The God who is all in all is also the God of the Nagas. But God wants faithfulness more than success.   With Goodwill.