Oh Nagaland!

The use of State violence against anti-corruption movements is well established in many parts of the world including the Indian sub-continent. The same was true when Nagaland State used unwarranted force against people peacefully gathering to show their solidarity in confronting corruption during a rally in the heart of Dimapur on December 15. The Nagaland’s state’s response reveals that the ruling class is threatened by such a nonviolent expression of people’s power.  

Furthermore, the incident clearly indicates the Nagaland State’s intent to maintain the status quo and its inability to initiate a democratic process to address this deep societal cancer of corruption and impunity. The democratic future of Nagaland State is in grave danger.  

There is a general understanding of the many tribulations that the Naga life co-exists, accompanied by being resigned to these appalling conditions. In fact, these ever-present conditions can actually be felt, smelled and even called by name. They are many, such as, corruption, impunity, despotism, nepotism, factionalism, tribalism, individualism …  

But, many agree that the worst of it all is the deafening and fearful silence of the majority. By default this complacency has made us all accomplices with the very structures of power that are responsible for the dehumanizing conditions which are embedded in institutionalized structures of violence.  

While there is a loose consensus on what the symptoms of the problems are, concerned individuals and meaningful organizations are still struggling to agree on the root causes of the problems, and even less on finding constructive and sustainable ways to effectively respond.  

In this time of public anger and outrage there is a need to channelize the energy into a more conscious and concerted effort so that in raising ‘one voice’ it will have a broader positive impact for addressing these social and political ills. This is critical for a nonviolent peoples’ movement to confront and liberate the structures of power.  

In an ironic way the December 15 incident has offered the anti-corruption voices a much needed opportunity to engage in critical self-reflection. It has also pointed out the need for an inclusive and broad-based initiative for transforming the status quo.  

And most of all, the incident is helping us learn the ‘beautiful and difficult truth’ that the present Naga context requires us to submerge ourselves deeply in the struggle for humanization so that Nagaland may arise from its deep slumber.



Support The Morung Express.
Your Contributions Matter
Click Here