Born in 1905 and hung by British Government on 29th August, 1931 in Imphal jail, Haipou Jadonang was a great visionary, a spiritual leader, patriot, successful organizer, warrior, musician, poet and a social reformer – all rolled into one.
Within the life-span of only 26 years he created Zeliangrong Heraka Movement resulting into the formation of armed Naga Army who waged war against British rule, boycotted the payment of house tax and porter work and established his own rule over the Zeliangrong Nagas of present Assam, Nagaland and Manipur.
With a view to prevent the rapid westernization and fast erosion in the human virtues and indigenous faith and culture of Nagas, he floated mass-movement to organize the community. He imparted military training to Naga Youths – boys and girls on one hand and on the other he taught spiritual living, prayers to Lord Tingwang, folk song and folk dance. He encouraged the use of customary laws to settle the disputes and customary costumes on every available opportunity. From time to time, he improved the design and style of customary dress to make it more usable. He worked hard to realize “Naga Raj” the dream which he nourished from the very beginning by driving away British invaders which he could not fulfill due to his untimely death. The was finally killed by the British Raj.
“Once, the Naga society deviates from correct path and catches wrong route, it will result into Naga debacle”, envisioned Haipou Jadonang and he put forth his own life in front of his people as an ideal to follow. He practiced what he preached, practiced strict discipline in his own life and encouraged his people to do so.
He had heard about Mahatma Gandhi and drew inspiration from him. He composed songs in Gandhi’s praise and he went up to Silchar to meet Mahatma Gandhi to establish association with him but Gandhi did not come.
Today Naga society is in distress, divided and re-divided. People do exactly opposite of what they preach, human virtues are eroding and consumerism and intolerance are rising high. People wish peace through violence. They preach religion by adopting irreligious means. They talk of Nagaland with no love to Nagas land. This contrast on the day to day life of present day Naga society reminds me of a story which I would like to share with readers.
There was a fat man riding on shoulders of a very weak man. When the by-standers criticized the cruel fat man, he said, “I have every sympathy for this thin man as you have and I shall do everything to lighten the weight of his shoulder. But the only condition is that no body should ask me to get down from the shoulder,” similarly, every body in Nagaland wishes good for the Naga society but they do not want to cut short their comfort.
The clash of interest is the root cause of the internal feuds in today’s Naga society. Here lies the significance of Haipou Jadonang’s life, which can throw light on the correct path for the Naga community. Let us take a pledge on this 29th August, 2005 – the martyrdom day of Haipou Jadonang, to make Nagaland a better place to live not only for the Nagas but for every community.
Thunbui Zeliang
Mohankhola, Kohima
