Rev. Dr. V. K. Nuh
The world community celebrated Mahatma Gandhi’s 128th birth anniversary as the first Non-Violence day on 2nd October 2007. The concept of Satyagraha and Ahimsa is truth force and a weapon to fight the mighty British imperial for freedom by India. To him Ahimsa and Satyagraha is the most powerful weapon for citizens of India to gain independence from British rule. The world admired his philosophy as his dream was translated into reality of victory.
After 60 years span of time, the United Nations adopted the Gandhian philosophy in dealing with world peace. India also celebrated non-violence day along with the rest of the world with pride of her self-conscience. India has a reason to be happy because the name Father of the Nation is stored on the lofty mountain visible by the global family. Mann Mohan Singh, the Prime Minister said,”People may wonder of what use is none violence in the present day but it is relevant even today as a way of life and governing the country”.
In the same way, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi the President of Congress addressed the United Nations General Assembly at New York. She said, “In the heart of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence was his belief that strength comes from righteousness and not by force or power but from the truth. Victory comes not from might but comes from moral courage to resist submission from imposition”.
When India celebrated her Republic Day, She is proud to be one of the biggest democratic countries. She claimed the champion of Human Rights. Besides she advocated peace and justice amongst the supper nations. India also must be aware of the Spirit of Afro-Asian Solidarity Conference and Non-Alignment Conference, which proclaims the right to self-determination of which India was one of the leading nations. Few days back, UN voted for Indigenous People’s Right of which India was also one amongst the signatory nations supporting the Bill.
All through these, people are wondering about India’s dealing with neighboring countries, how India used force to liberate East Pakistan now Mukti Bihani now Bangladesh. In order to save her face she sarcastically claimed to support Aung Sang Syu Kyi and involve closely in monitoring the situation. But the truth we see behind the curtain is her hypocrisy, supporting military junta government to oppress and suppress democracy for the last 45 years. She kept silent and infact had nothing to say when the world community criticized military junta rule in Myanmar.
India is fully aware of the rights of Jammu and Kashmir and the Khalistani Movement but she believes in force power but not non-violence. She is aware of the fate of North-East India’s struggle during last few decades. But have no political will, just buying time to suppress the people’s right and use her might. If, I were asked to supplement the fact I am prepared to do so.
A report in the Statesman paper at Calcutta 20th April 1956 from Shillong states. “A total of Rupees 85, 55,266 was spent by the Assam Government for maintaining law and order on Naga Hills since the outbreak of disturbance.” The Government had also provided Rs.39 millions during the 1957-1958 budgets for Operations in the Naga Hills. A sum of Rupees 40 Millions damage was admitted in the same report while on November 22nd, 1956, the same source admitted damage to properties amounting to Rs.80 millions besides lose of hundred thousand human lives. Can we imagine military expenditures for the last 60 years of Naga conflict with Indian Government? A.Z. Phizo said, “In order to avoid bloodshed we approached India’s deed with non violence. He is content. Had Mahatma Gandhi been living for a few months there would not have arisen the necessity for the Nagas to take a National Plebiscite on the stand for independence for he felt India to have no right to make a forcible incorporation of Nagaland to the Indian Union”.
It would have been a different story if Mahatma Gandhi were alive who believed truth force Satyagraha and Ahimsa. Will Nagas remain suffer for so long?
The question is - what right India has to hang on in the land of the Nagas letting blood run red in the country for the last 60 years? Nagas have made three Cease-fire Agreements with India. Latest peace talks of 60 times between GOI and NSCN (IM) have no indication for any solution. The observer Simranjit Singh then the President of Siomani Akali Dal, Amritsar remarked, “ India with its might wont carry on the talks but happy to tire out Nagas leaders or win over with money and promise of power within the current Indian System that has been the policy in the hinder. India with all political dissent, if a Naga leader holds with their demands, the only alternative would be to go back to bush”.
We have witnessed all the facts that if there is violence and provoke, the leaders would talk but if there is non-violence they would remain quite. It is a hypocrisy of a leader in the country who preaches non-violence and practice violence. Indian leaders are aware of the fate of North East India’s struggle but instead of engaging to stop the problem, they use force to suppress people’s right. If the Trent continues to go further, India will lose entire North East India region. Which is surrounded 98% international boarders while just 25 Kms linked with the rest of the country.
