Toiho Yeptho
According to Oxford’s Dictionary, Conscience means ‘a person’s moral sense of right and wrong, viewed as acting as a guide to one’s behaviour’. Along with the religious principle, conscience of a person plays an important role in human day to day life. Some people have strong conscience which helps them to maintain good behavior in society while some have less or no conscience where the evil or wrong doings becomes their part of life.
THE CONSCIENCE OF PRESENT LEGISLATORS: It is needless to mention that each MLA representing 60 constituencies have been elected by the people to represent them in Nagaland Legislative Assembly. In other words, MLA’s are representatives of the people of their constituencies. As a representative, their primary duty is to listen to the people they represent and act accordingly. Now, with this understanding, let us examine the role of our Representatives in recent scams and issues of public interest; (i) the fuel adulteration case of high public interest fail to prick the conscience of our representatives and they continued merrily in supporting the government and its leadership without a question (ii) the siphoning off of PDS materials and SK Oil meant for public distribution unearthed by ACAUT didn’t disturb the conscience of our representatives (iii) the latest ULB election with 33 % women reservation issue which is vigorously opposed by almost all tribal Hohos and NGO’s leading even to the death of two (now three) very promising Naga youth has not disturbed the conscience of 42 legislators who endorsed the leadership of present Chief Minister. The million dollar question is who do they represent now? One can only hope that the consciences of 42 legislators are not eating them away like a maggot gnawing a death animal in exchange of power and money. Can we also assume the remaining legislators who didn’t append their signature or attend the meeting called by CM for his endorsement are suffering a pang of conscience? If so, kudos to them!
THE CONSCIENCE OF THE PEOPLE/VOTERS: The conscience of the people will be tested in the impending election which is just a year away. It is high time realization must set in the minds of the Nagas that we are also to be partly blamed for electing such leaders without conscience. Money power and muscle power have been major factors in winning an assembly election in the past which results in failure of choosing a righteous and capable leader. After experiencing such tumultuous moments in the history of Nagas as it is happening today, if we fall into money power trap in the impending election, we will be doomed. Therefore, in support of NBCC’s ‘Clean Election’ call, it’s time we allow our conscience to lead and guide us to do the right thing by electing the right leaders to lead us to a brighter future.
