The word: ‘Naga nationalism is interpreted in different contexts, with perhaps different prefixes. Does ‘Naga nationalism include every Naga (where a patriot to an independent Nagaland state, or just born a Naga)? What is ‘nationalism’? Because Phizo was a converted Christian, wore western clothes and spoke fluent English is Naga nationalism identified along those ethos too? Of course, this isn’t to say the Naga national struggle was single-handedly upheld by Phizo which also begs to ask because Phizo was Angami should the national movement reek more Angami scent? Something in these lines is very unbalanced, if not undermining our collective identity too.
Some of the phrases used to propaganda the nationalist movement are said like these:
i) Nagas are Christians, not Hindus (through this phrase we also somehow dismiss the 1% animists among us).
ii) Nagas have inhabited these hills since ‘time immemorial’, but not only that Nagas are one people.
In what form are these pretexts misleading, or incorrect? First of all, Christianity is an acquired religion from the missionaries. Before Nagas were Christians, were they not Nagas? Secondly, ‘Naga’ is a foreign-made word. Maybe it was the British enforced it and we became ‘Nagas from there, maybe the Assamese coined for us. Whichever way that is not important, but to understand Naga is to identify many tribes and communities within it. We aren’t a homogenous entity and identifying that is also vital to our co-relation, something that was perhaps overlooked during the ‘freedom struggle’ which also had major consequences.
Our unique identity
We are different communities from different migration routes, culture, languages which exist under Naga. History, culture or tradition affiliations and similarities brings us together closer than, say, with Meitei people or Ahom/Assamese. Yet it is not the point of my discourse today. We need to acknowledge our different communities, behavioral patterns, customs or beliefs as a core fundament to exist amiably together. That is where our uniqueness comes out. I do not need to prove I am a Naga to an Indian, or anyone else for that matter? I do not need to either prove my community/tribe-identity above or below Naga to anyone else either. I expound the word ‘nationalism’ or ‘nationalist’ because we have somehow misinterpreted that English word. One does not need to be violent to be nationalistic or a patriot, nor does one need to hate India because of that. Wearing a salwar kameez is unpatriotic? (Yet wearing western clothes is alright?) You see, we’ve taken measures to an extreme and we’ve also brought elements into our midst which is the extreme of the other end. I cannot subscribe to either because each is filled with a contradiction. One important matter is also that if we do not learn from our ‘enemy’ how do we expect to gain anything? Yes, it is understandable the degree of trauma and ordeal we have gone through under the tyranny of the central government or the sheer brute of the military. But introspection is needed, new blood in the sense of different perspective is also needed.
Learn from history
One of the best lessons we can learn from is not too far way. The Partitions –the incidents leading up to it, the reason why it occurred are lessons right out of the pages of history. India experienced its most stable governance and rule under the British era. Yes, it was exploited by the British but in some ways it was also a mere reversal of roles for the Indian privileged too. for centuries and most of its history, India’s poor, peasants and lower castes have been exploited by the privileged few. Why idea of independence or freedom did India envision after the British? Many airy ideals, I’m sure but the ground reality was missed in that process perhaps. The whims of one Jinnah, short-sightedness and ignorance of the Indian leaders of the colossal catastrophe waiting for them after independence have also shaped Indian history at its major triumphs. An estimated 250,000 people died during the Partition and migration of the masses. Was Nehru, or Jinnah too proud to assess and do something so not that many lives would have been lost? Sometimes I become wary observing them and then looking at our fragmented situation, or jingoistic patriotism. Our defensive modes, stubbornness or unbending resolve against our own people which have somehow shaped our idea of Naga nationalism. It has also, if indirectly, produced a different result where some are great vassals of India, especially central government without knowledge of its exploitations.
Why I do not like to endorse on ‘Naga nationalism’ as a movement
I love my land, I love my culture. I love my identity. But does that unanimously man I have to pick up a gun and shoot the enemy, or that I should shout ‘No, Nagaland is a free country’ till my throat is hoarse? Does Nagaland under India make a difference in my stance, love or sentiment towards my land? But somehow we have become stubborn, unbending and defensive in our stance altogether. We produce more and more insurgency, or killing or extortion which is taken out on an ordinary person in the name of nationalism. I do not need to prove anything to India, or even an allegiance of loyalty just because Britain decided to draw us inside the Indian map. This face of nationalism we have come down to, I cannot help but feel something is very wrong. You see, my love for my land, my people and their struggle is strongly shadowed under this resolute (even ego-centric) face.
I am not very fluent in my mother tongue although I try my best to learn my customs or its history. Hopefully, there will be a reimbursement there. Yet it isn’t just chiding for not learning my language (or culture) I hear. I’ve also come across chidings because I am not ‘nationalist’ enough. What should that mean? Learning about India, Hinduism or caste- Indian society (or Islam for that matter) is sometimes met with harsh words. We have overstepped that balance- we now hate India (soon we’ll not have reason to hate but we still will hate). If every youth who comes is met with such a greet where will we learn; how will we learn? My parents are also separated and that is, apparently a sore wound on the ‘nationalist movement’. This man said to me: “You must bring your parents back together again because the fate of the Naga nation lies on that and nder the guidance of God and Jesus we will fight for Naga independence.” I wondered to myself, why couldn’t they respectively just fight for The cause in their own corner. But this nationalism which has lasted for many, experienced ups and downs has somehow also overridden person, family, society, friendships or a normal humane existence. We’ve evolved into a jingoistic and exaggerated patriotism. Somewhere it has snapped and we have looked back. Why can I not be a Naga, love being a Naga without needing to kill my own brother and sister or hate India?
