SK Victor
Generations may come and go but humanity remains. It is for the sake of humanity we should not be wedded to the past, we should advance into the future. No one passes through life twice, if therefore, there is any kindness we can show or any good thing we can do to any fellow being, let us do it now, for we shall not pass this way again. Time has come for all of us to come together and rebuild the broken wall of unity, peace, love, development and progress of our society with concerted efforts. We all are sailing in the same leaky ship. Each and everyone of us has certain responsibilities to be borne in mending the leakages. Let us sincerely and faithfully adhere to the principle of sustainable development: a development to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their needs. That can only happen if our minds and hearts are enlarged. Let us look at the insipient new world order, the new world society, a new world conscience, and a new world community. To go in tune with the winds of change is possible only through inner transformation of every citizens of Nagalim. As the world becomes smaller, we must allow our minds to become larger, we must change the axis of our thought and life. It is therefore essential for the leaders of 'Naga Today' to come together in an atmosphere of goodwill, sincerity and imagination with a determination to achieve solution. Whatever the difficulties may be, the search for solution should not be abandoned. My humble appeal goes to every right thinking citizen of Nagalim, most importantly, leaders and intelligentsia.
This is my humble search for certain emancipatory strategies/alternatives to the prevalent conflict amongst the Nagas without compromising the truth. I am sharing my personal views in a very simple way. Indeed, it is very painful to say even a sentence on Naga political issue particularly at this very crucial juncture. I know I am treading on the forbidden path, but for the sake of truth I am boldly taking the risk of offence.
Though, social change and conflict are inevitable and inexorable social phenomena, the factors, areas, intensity, and extent vary from society to society due to cultural relativity. Therefore, to my understanding, in our context, the following factors and areas are worth mentioning for socio-political analyses:
1. Lingua franca : Human beings interact and develop through signs and symbols, in short 'Language'. Language is of the most important elements of human culture. It plays a vital role in social change, conflict and unification in human societies. Leakage of communication naturally creates a vacuum between human beings, wherein, any positive social change fails to cross the barrier, thereby, breeds conflict. The existence of chasm between individuals, groups, and societies usually leads to emotional detachment, indifferent attitudes towards fellow beings. I am not thereby surprised to see the existence of conflict amongst the Nagas. The fact is that two Naga villages are not identical in terms of language. The existence of misunderstandings, mistrust, jealousy, hatred amongst the Nagas are results of absence of lingua franca and dialect. Of course, Nagamese plays as a lingua franca in certain areas but most of the Naga communities do not understand it.
Strategies/Alternatives: We are required to find out or create our own dialect and lingua franca. I think synthesizing of the existing Naga languages can become a beautiful language. I leave the task to the experienced and experts of Naga citizens. I don't think we are lacking experts.
2. Creation of Nagaland State : the forces of conflict took a firm root when a portion of Naga population was placed under a single India-state 'Nagaland' leaving half of the Naga communities under Burma, and Indian states. Therefore, I am also not surprised to see, feel and experience indifferent attitudes and wrong perception of Nagas from Nagaland state toward their brethren living outside the Nagaland state. The notion of 'original/duplicate' and the 'sense of supremacy' - a deliberate construction of the Indian government that lingered on in the minds of Nagas of Nagaland state often manifested in their virulent 'Quit notices' time and again. I don't want to put the blame on the GOI alone, but some of the Naga leaders, intelligentsia of Nagaland state are equally responsible for all the existing mess. The fact is that creation of Nagaland state was against the will of the Nagas. Therefore, jealousy, hatred, and quit notices and fratricides meted out to your own brethren can be aptly termed as 'deliberate action'. On the other hand, certain Naga leaders of outside Nagaland state may be equally blamed, however, their actions must have been due to your denial of the truth. The truth between us is 'we are one, no matter where and what country/state we live in. Therefore, I don't think I am biased or naively speaking. You may say that it does not exist, or even if it exists, it is not a big problem. In my sociological analysis, I found that it surely exists and this neglected area/factor/petty issue has given rise to insurmountable problems in our society. Social conflict does not arise by overnight, but it is an accumulation of petty issues and triggered by a petty issue. If we fail to accept the truth and mend our ways today, our ship may collide with the iceberg one day.
Furthermore, for a layman or young and inquisitive mind, the nomenclature 'Nagaland State' alone is enough to conceptualise, internalize aforesaid perception in their minds, strictly in the absence of proper guidance, machineries-agencies of knowledge. Therefore, time has come for us to find a way out from such a stereotyped/cocoon-like existence, and alien-construct defective socialization. We are required to resocialize our people.
Strategies/Alternatives: Inclusion of irrefutable historical facts & figures of the Nagas in the school syllabus/curriculum becomes imperative, organizing all Nagalim sports/cultural festivals from time to time may yield positive results. The challenging task may be taken up by the Naga Students' Federation (NSF).
3. Nothing short of Sovereignty vis-à-vis Suisa's Proposal-like Settlement (Federal Structure) : What exactly does the term 'sovereignty' mean to the Nagas? For me, time has come for the Nagas to seriously give a serious thought on this vexed question. To my understanding, keeping the insipient new world order, new world society, a new conscience in mind, a sovereign nation is a nation who possesses a definite territory, population, a clear-cut boundary (land), a unique/separate national flag and whose subjects (people) are entitled the fundamental rights : 1. Right to equality 2. Right to Freedom 3. Right to Freedom of Religion 4. Right Against Exploitation 5. Right to cultural and educational rights. 6. Right to Constitutional Remedies. These fundamental rights are found not only in the Indian Constitution but it has gained a universal applicability in this new world society. By saying this, I am in no way compromising my birth rights. The aforementioned 'a definite territory, boundary, population, flag and fundamental rights' are my inalienable birth rights and this is how I define 'sovereignty' this way.
Sincerely speaking, I don't believe in water-tight compartment existence of human societies, particularly in this new world community. Apart from the aforesaid subjects, the rest of the strategic subjects like currency, defense, foreign affairs and communication have become extremely essential to be maintained jointly with the Government of India. We should not forget the strategic importance of India to the Nagas and vice-versa. This takes me to the R. Suisa's Proposal (1961 -1971). Many Naga intellectuals have expressed their lamentations over the two golden opportunities Nagas have missed in the past - the Crown Colony Proposal and the R. Suisa's Proposal.
Somewhere in the pages of Naga history I came across the most remarkable encounter between the two Naga heroes - A.Z. Phizo, father of Naga Nationalism and R. Suisa between 1961 and 1971. In those indelible encounters, R. Suisa desperately insisted A.Z. Phizo to consider his proposal. He said, "This is the most workable idea which will bring mutual benefits to the Indians and the Nagas in future….Since you are the President, its upto you to decide."(sic). However, A.Z. Phizo out rightly rejected it. And when R. Suisa was at the fag-end part of his life lying in his sick-bed, A.Z. Phizo (London) asked a copy of his proposal but R. Suisa said, "It is no longer with me…" That was the end of the remarkable communication between the two heroes. This communication between A.Z. Phizo and R. Suisa clearly shows their outstanding political insight. But the question of "why Phizo rejected ? And why R. Suisa rejected A.Z. Phizo's request?" still remain to be unraveled. My humble hypothesis is that A.Z.Phizo was not ready to compromise his ego, 'isms' and in those days, the slogan 'Nothing short of Sovereignty' was at its peak and many other undercurrent elements. On the part of R. Suisa, he must have lost his patience or to the extreme lost his confidence in A.Z. Phizo at the given situation. One of the greatest visionaries, R. Suisa has left an indelible conviction and prediction on Indo-Naga political issue. He said while lying in his sick bed, “After my death, some Naga national leaders will accept the terms of solution to Indo-Naga political dispute less than that of my last proposal. In that case they should be taken as fanatics…if anybody can bring higher than that of my last proposal, he is performing a miracle. We must bow down and worship him. People of this generation may not understand me but the next generation will understand. But if the next generation also cannot understand, the subsequent generation will understand me."
Strategies/Alternatives: There are two paradigms lying on the table and we have to choose only one. The first one is 'Nothing short Sovereignty' and the other one is 'Federal Relationship with India'. The ability to choose it the best paradigm lies in our innermost hearts. We cannot hear the inner voice of our hearts unless we remove jealousy, hatred, the notion of original/duplicate, superior/inferiority from our hearts. We have seen enough bloodshed, experienced humiliations amongst ourselves. We have seen the ugly and irreparable results of tribalism, favoritism, despotism, nepotism, fratricidal and egotism of our people from the pages of Naga history. let us step out from such parochialism and quagmire and rebuild our society based on truth and reality. My humble standpoint is that 'the only realistic and pragmatic paradigm is the R.Suisa's idea of Indo-Naga link as I have stated above' (Federal link with the government of India). Whether we like it or not, this is the reality of realities of the new world conscience and new world community. All the Naga national leaders, civil societies, organizational leaders must enlarge their minds and hearts.
4. Unity first vis-à-vis talk for solution : Many conflict theorists say 'Conflict is a precondition for solution/unification/solidarity. In every human society, we generally find two conflicting groups since time immemorial. These groups push as well pull the society forward or backward. They are the forces instrumental in social change and conflict. In our context too, we find two openly conflicting groups in the process of our struggle for the recognition of our lost sovereignty. Here, we have two conflicting groups amongst the civil society leaders: one group asserts that the long-drawn out Indo-Naga political conflict cannot be solved unless and until all the existing underground factions are united under one banner/leadership. Their argument is that even if a solution is arrived there will be bloodshed, for the counterpart shall not concede to the terms of solution brought by their rival group. Therefore, it is highly necessary to bring all the factions under one roof first and then proceed for dialogue. On the other hand, the other group says that there is no cent percent unity in this world. Therefore we must proceed the peace process dialogue between the two political entities. They firmly state that the given situation is synonymous with a pregnant woman - it is not possible to postpone the biological process of a pregnant woman giving birth, on our own volition, therefore, the ongoing peace dialogue between the two entities is an inexorable process of social change. They say, "they are mature enough to understand the situation and decide what is the best for the Nagas". Now when taking a micro analysis of the tussle between these two groups, certain elements of egotism, parochialism and jealousy are found. In the process, innocent common people are bearing the brunt of their selfish drive for leadership. If we fail to mend our ways today, our ship is going to be sunk very soon.
Strategies/Alternatives: I don't, from the core of my heart, want to loose this third golden opportunity. I want to strengthen it and settle once and for all. Now the final decision lies in the hands of the public. Time has come for the public 'black is black and white is white'. Our Lord Jesus Christ was not crucified by the Romans but by his own people. Our national leaders have miraculously survived, crossed countless insurmountable barriers and led the Nagas thus far. Are we still looking at them with the jaundiced eyes and stony hearts? Unless we repent our sins and embrace the truth, God's blessing shall be taken away from us (Matt.21:43). The Naga Hoho may set up committee on Naga unification after a thorough, intensive and extensive screening of the would be members. There is no harm in setting up committee after committee. Under any circumstances we should not abandon our search for solution. Conclusion : Nagas' sovereignty cannot be achieved with the help of the outsiders, but is living in our hearts. The moment we open up our minds and hearts, we will see our sovereign Nagalim in our midst. In order to become a partner of the new world community, we require to have the mindset of the new world conscience, for mutual respect, interdependence, concerted efforts in nation building is the conscience of the new world society. there is no space for despotism, nepotism, fratricidal, egotism and parochialism in the new world community. And most importantly, we must accept the truth of our history, for only truth can set us free (John 8:32). Sometimes we are compelled to look at the dark sides of our national leaders/workers and vice-versa but there is no solution in it. It only worsens and brings more confusion. No man is perfect except God. Therefore, confession and forgiveness are the golden rules and means in unification. Let us all awake and strengthen the ongoing Indo-Naga political dialogue with a clear conscience.
Long Live Nagalim!
(#This article is extracted from my book 'Nagalim: From Conflict to Unification', which is under printing.)
