Flag hoisting be left to individual liberty: ASU

Kohima, August 12 (MExN): The Angami Students’ Union (ASU) has termed the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, ordering the mandatory hoisting of the Tricolour in every house as dictatorial in nature.  A press release from the ASU said the directive was unacceptable to the Nagas as “we cannot be told to follow something which is extraterrestrial to our culture and natural existence.” 

The ASU stated that “the Naga flag, recognized from near and afar, and many lives have been lost defending it for 76 years” and asserted that it is “our determination in proclaiming to the world that we shall strive to be a free nation, free from being dictated of how we should celebrate freedom.” 

It therefore asked the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, to refrain from imposing mandatory purchase of National flag in Angami homeland. ASU questioned “why each and every citizen are forced to purchase the Indian national flag supposedly through deduction of government fund meant for the villagers as well as forcible sale in business establishments.” The union opined that, if at all the Indian national flag should be hoisted for three days, it should be at one’s liberty and not forceful imposition. 

“Nagas have declared its independence to United Nations on the 14th August, 1947 and continues to celebrate Naga Independence Day by hoisting Naga national flag on 14th August every year. The agencies of the Indian government must be reminded that Nagas cannot afford to hoist two national flag together on the same day to celebrate two separate occasions,” the ASU said. 

It further termed the move as provoking, especially at a time when Nagas are expecting for a solution to the long pending Indo-Naga political issue. The union urged the Deputy Commissioner to retract its stand and further reminded “every true Nagas and leaders that we cannot be intimidated to compromise our stand at the dread of such absurd orders.” 

The ASU appealed to all “Naga brethren to denounce this unethical order by the Deputy Commissioner, and stand united to parade our aspiration and determination that we were never and can never be forced to be under any rule that defies Naga nationalism.”