After the visit of ECI, it’s seems apparent that we’ve undone ourselves. In 1998, barely one year into peace talks, much less a historic settlement, the Nagas, represented by frontal organisations, Naga political groups and political parties declared “Solution not Elections”- the same slogan we’re harping now- and Dr. SC Jamir and his Congress party were branded traitors and anti-Naga by both ‘undergrounds’ and ‘overgrounds’ alike for contesting the elections. Now history repeats itself but NPF refuses to resign without giving solid reasons for not doing so. It also defies reason that Naga frontal organisations should conspiratorially remain silent by leaning on the wrong side of the fence. After 15 long years, we’re on the cusp of history with a political solution finally in the offing, yet, of all the political parties, it’s the NPF- a regionalist, some would say nationalistic party- now much averse to giving up its position. This fable is akin to the famed Indian story of a family rearing and worshipping a snake with disastrous consequences, only this time it’s Muivah and family at the receiving end.
The idea of JLF resignation is simply to pressurize the Indian government to bring about a solution at the earliest without having the state undergo divisive constitutional elections, nothing more nothing less. Moreover, Narashimha Rao, the late PM held Indian constitutional elections in Kashmir after 7 years of President’s rule in 1996 and the voter turnout- never mind the low percentage voting- was touted as victory of Indian democracy over separatism. Such a farce should not be replicated in Nagaland but it cannot be ruled out as long as our politicians refuse to give up positions of luxury. Centre imposed President’s Rule in Kashmir from 1990-1996 and therefore, any talk of constitutional vacuum in the state with elections not being held on time is pure hogwash. Secondly, there’s the problem of accommodation. After collectively spending hundreds of Crores of Rupees to get elected, how does one convince the newly elected legislators to resign within the span of a year and pave way for an interim government? Talk about implosion which the GOI is acutely aware of and will possibly utilize to the hilt.
Finally, it’s as much the arrogance of NSCM-IM as the guile of CM Ibobi that has put Nagas in such a precarious position. Firstly, the NSCN-IM wrongfully calculated that it could settle the Naga political issue ALONE. Secondly, IM felt that spilling the contents of the negotiations would derail the peace talks. This has done more harm than good because GOI has skillfully managed to scale down the initial IM demands of sovereignty, Integration, etc., to “Alternative Arrangement ” without ever having the Naga people have a say in it. Thirdly, the Meiteis led by the wily Ibobi always managed to CREATE SITUATIONS putting both GOI and NSCN-IM on the backfoot. Ibobi wedged himself into the negotiations as the third party in what is a dialogue between two entities and the perennial negotiation is in no small measure due to the machinations of this man. Despite the obstacles, the understanding is that peace and anything above the present status of Nagaland is worth fighting for.
It is time to put into practice words spoken unabashedly and without an iota of shame in the past 10 years; presumably patriotic words such as, “equi-closeness ” and “sacrifice.” Unless Nagas come together and create a situation of the stature of Telangana agitation and force the hand of GOI, even a moth-eaten Nagalim- thanks to NSCN IM- is an impossibility. At such times, it’ll do well to mark the words of Ravi Zakarias, the world’s foremost thinker and brilliant Christian apologetic, who said these words about fellow Indians, “Indeed it is very common for in many Eastern cultures to lead a bifurcated life. It is perfectly acceptable for a man to light holy candles, walk out of the temple and then lie through his teeth about what he’s selling you. The incredible thing is that it may not even qualify as hypocrisy…..” The Government of India is no different.
Joel Nillo Kath
