The 58th Anniversary of 1951 Naga Voluntary plebiscite on 16 May
I send my warmest greetings as our people commemorate the 58th Anniversary of the indelible 1951 Naga voluntary plebiscite on 16 May.
We are profoundly grateful to the Almighty God for sustaining the Naga people to remain sanguine despite of nearly sixty years of resisting enemy’s aggression. Together let us humbly pray for wisdom and strength in pursuing the just cause of Nagaland that the truth prevail in God’s own time.
A vibrant Naga society exists today because of the wise leadership and enormous sacrifices of Naga patriots with our people indefatigable support. Prior to the historic plebiscite held in May 1951, the usage of the appellation ‘Naga’ by earlier foreign writers invariable referred to each Naga community in generic term and far from a cohesive federation of diverse communities. Thenceforward modern Nagaland forged ahead with a single Naga identity and affirmed the beforehand joint declaration to the world by respective community representatives led by A Z Phizo that Nagaland will stay independent on 14 August 1947. Thus the 1951 plebiscite will always evoke the defining moment of Naga nation that under the aegis of the Naga National Council (NNC) transcends former differences.
The overwhelming result of the Naga people plebiscite, 99.00% in support of an independent Naga nation, reportedly shocked Delhi. That soon afterwards the Indian Prime Minister Mr Nehru dispatched his confidant Cabinet colleague Sri Prakasa to Shillong, the then Capital of Assam, to meet with A Z Phizo, the President of NNC. At the meeting, Sri Prakasa conveyed the Government of India (GoI) offer of any amount of money to develop Nagaland, “we will not count money, I was sent here by the highest authority.” A Z Phizo refused the offer as it would compromise Nagaland’s sovereignty. Following NNC President refusal of money offer, the GoI attempted to involve the Naga people to participate in their first Union of India general election in 1952. Again NNC led our people to stay clear of the Indian election. In this connection Mr Nehru wrote, “In the Naga Hills District the situation is peculiarly difficult because of the demand of the Nagas there for independence. They are so well disciplined that they have prevented any elections being held there for the District Councils. Not even a nomination came in.”
Evidently due to the protracted conflict with India since 1954, not everything in Naga society can be said as fine. It is regrettable that a section of our people could be seen strangers to the virtues of ancestors tradition the Naga people are proud of, namely, honour, bravery, and loyalty. So also instead of upholding our age-old harmony, out of sheer greed for domination and money some splinter groups blatantly pursue sectarian interests and inconceivably peddle on the evil idea that NNC and the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) no longer exist. Such group’s self-inflicted alienation now on inevitable retreat can have no place in our democratic nation. Whilst our people persevere with the long drawn conflict with India it is imperative that we remain constantly vigilant considering enemy’s relentless policy to divide and rule.
In international consciousness Nagaland may not occupy a high place but with internets connection and the fast growing global travel the world is much closer. The question arise how long could the Indian aggressors perversely ignore civilised nations detest for in particular, bully. India’s original sin committed against Nagaland will not go away till the hypocritical GoI finally see it is in own’s interest to find an amicable solution based on mutual respects. Meanwhile, whether on account of the unremitting Indian occupation army militarised tyranny or its proxy gangs preying on a terrorised nation, nothing can falter the resolve of NNC and FGN to stay the course of upholding freedom.
A nation with a clarity of purpose can weather against all the odds and come out successful and strong. On the other hand, a nation unwilling to face the challenge to its freedom can only grope for the short straw. Moreover, might does not necessarily last, if it were the case, India will still be under the British empire and the Naga people will be living in peace in Nagaland.
The people of Nagaland have every right to assert Nagaland’s sovereignty and India has no right whatsoever to occupy our beloved Nagaland.
May God bless Nagaland. Urra Uvie
Adinno Phizo
President, NNC
