Imlisanen Jamir
There’s been a recent trend among our leaders, especially within the State political setup, to discourage their polity from caring about politics.
This view of theirs is wrapped in some pretty rhetoric that appeals to our immediate concerns, especially with regard to our pathetic infrastructural and economic conditions. Focus on the economy, they say; start your own businesses; give up your lands for development; look to the future; contribute; and STOP BEING DIVISIVE!
All these are great to hear; and they are pretty good suggestions, some of them pertinent even. But that’s quiet rich advice coming from a class of leaders, not just political mind you, who share the bulk of the blame for dragging our political discourse through the mud for decades.
Politics is division by definition. On that fabled unity that we’re all supposedly striving for, if that’s based on sweeping the past under the carpet and refusing to engage in conversations about history, politics and society, it’ll be worthless. Plus, it’s quiet difficult to take advice from political parties, nationalist groups, leaders, and even a government, whose past with splits, defections and public mudslinging is there for all to judge.
Naga leaders should be the first to acknowledge that it will be a sad day when the battle of ideas ends.
All this, however, does not diminish the need to work towards other societal and economic developments, especially in the sectors of healthcare, employment and education. These works though require political processes; not politics in the sense of votes and groups; but a politics of ideas.
Blaming the people is the easiest cop out for any leader. It’s even more embarrassing when those same leaders are the ones responsible for preferring power over principle.
Comments can be sent to imlisanenjamir@gmail.com
