Sazolie College hosts talk by Prof. Kedilezo Kikhi
Kohima, July 23 (MExN): The Department of Sociology, Sazolie College, Jotsoma organised a talk on the topic, ‘Relevance of Naga (Homeland) Politics and Identity in the Present Neoliberal Context: A Critical Sociological Understanding,’ with Prof. Kedilezo Kikhi, Department of Sociology and Chair of Ambedkar Studies Centre, Tezpur University, Assam, as the speaker on July 21.
In his presentation, Prof. Kikhi critically analysed the issue of Naga Identity in the context of Neoliberalism, according to a press release from the Principal of Sazolie College. “The state is needed by the elites to accumulate and protect their wealth, which ultimately results in the rich getting richer and the poor becoming poorer,” Prof. Kikhi noted. He posed the question, “Can we trust the state?” because “instead of being the problem solver, the state itself has become a problem with an institutionalized corrupted system.”
In the absence of any mechanism to generate enough income for self-sustenance and self-sufficiency, he expressed concern at what will happen when “our parasitic government” and “parasitic society” stop receiving the so-called “economic packages” or “pacifying packages” from the central government. “We exploit the uniqueness of our identity and struggle by begging for these “economic packages,” he lamented. “However, unfortunately, these are pocketed by the elites without any accountability.”
Prof. Kikhi stated the movement for Naga Identity started with a good intention, “but it has become a bait today thereby intensifying the parasitic system and giving growth to the nexus among the elites, which includes the politicians, bureaucrats and groups claiming to fight for the Nagas.”
The state, he added, has turned into an oppressive apparatus and the public has also become very weak with both seeming to feed on each other. The social masses have become too dependent on the elites, he maintained. Therefore, he stressed on the need for the Nagas to realise the importance of self-reliance. He proposed various areas which can be developed and improved upon to achieve the goal of self-sustenance like indigenous handicrafts, pottery, forest resources, agro/forest-based industries etc.
Observing that the Naga society has always been a stratified society, Prof. Kikhi opined that a structural change is needed if “we” are to bring about change and transformation.
Various queries from teachers and students were answered by the speaker after the talk, the release added. The programme was chaired by Thepfusalie Theunuo, Head, Department of Sociology and vote of thanks was given by Nukhrülü, Asst. Prof.
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