Nagas are one, and it has been the desire and aspiration of all Nagas to develop and grow together as a free people. But the Indian Government has constantly tried to keep Nagas distant from each other. One divisive ploy of the Government has been to keep Naga students apart under different Educational systems and policies. The intention of this policy was to assimilate Nagas into the mainstream and to prevent any form of intellectual growth while denying them their right to a common educational policy based on their history and culture. This rationale is to stop Nagas from freely developing their common political, social and economic future.
For instance, let us take the example of the South Nagas. It is a historical fact and geographical reality that part of the Naga homeland also encompasses about 70% of what is today called, Manipur State. These areas constitute the four Hill Naga Districts of Tahamzam (Senapati), Chamdil (Chandel), Hunphun (Ukhrul) and Inriangluang (Tamenglong). Nagas of this region are commonly known as South Nagas. South Nagas have since the early eighties been forced to learn the dominant Manipuri language, and this imposition has been continuing arbitrarily in the form of Office Memorandums and Government Notifications, despite stiff resistance and sustained protest by Nagas. Ignoring the rights of Nagas and various tribes in Manipur, the State Government went further by cabinet decision in 2005 imposing Meitei Mayek (Meitei Script) as a compulsory subject in all the schools, including private schools in Manipur state.
This cabinet decision adopted by an overwhelmingly Meitei dominant government (Meiteis enjoy 41 seats in the 60-member State Legislative Assembly) contradicts the rights of all non-Meiteis in Manipur to promote their own languages and culture. The chauvinistic policy is evidently displayed by the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM), which has conveniently and intentionally erased any factual and relevant information concerning the Nagas from their syllabus. Few chapters attributed to the Nagas in BSEM textbooks are distorted and misrepresentative of Naga history, culture and people. It has been designed to undermine Naga nationality and to glorify Meitei Kingdom. It emphasizes on Meitei script with political overtones that denies the existence of Nagas and diverse tribes living in Manipur state.
The Nagas have no objection to the promotion of Meitei Script or History but as we dare not accept imposition of any alien language and culture, we resist the forced imposition of the Meitei Mayek into our education system. As much as the Meitei people have the right to promote its language and history, Nagas too have the right to promote and protect theirs. Nagas have chosen not to confront the Meiteis but to give them the liberty to promote their interest hoping that good sense will prevail whereby, Nagas can also have the liberty to promote and protect our interests. Nagas hope that the Meitei people will not allow the Manipur State Government to destroy the long standing relation and goodwill between Nagas and Meiteis by politicizing and mobilizing along national lines.
It is natural for the Nagas to resist any forced imposition that is aimed at destroying their history, culture, rights and future. And as part of that resistance, Nagas – children and parents – have responded by demanding affiliation of all private run schools in the four Hill Naga Districts to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE). The private schools in these four Hill Districts have sustained through self-generation of resources and functioned independently for the past many decades without taking any aid or assistance from the Government of Manipur and have now voluntarily decided to exercise their fundamental rights by opting out of the BSEM and affiliating to NBSE.
Representing the collective voice and desire of all Naga students, we the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) is duty bound to address the need for South Nagas to affiliate to NBSE. It is the responsibility and concern of the NSF to take initiative in safeguarding and promoting the rights and future of the Nagas and to intervene in issues where the identity of Naga youths are being threatened and subjugated by dominant groups. Acting upon the resolution of the Federal Assembly of the NSF, the Government of India was apprised of the gravity of the situation. The NSF particularly impressed upon the Ministry of Human Resources and Development (MHRD) for timely intervention and an amicable solution thereof. The Government of India and the MHRD in particular, has taken serious note of the matter and has assured the NSF of their urgent attention and immediate resolution to this issue on the ground that the education of hundred of thousand of South Naga students are at stake.
In the backdrop of the given circumstances that calls for the solidarity and unity in purpose of all Nagas, the NSF fervently appeals upon all Parents, Principals, Teachers, Students and Youths to support the historic decision of the South Nagas to affiliate with NBSE. The NSF, further calls upon all Churches, Educational Institutions, Mothers Organizations, Women groups and Tribe Hohos to take this opportunity in extending its fullest understanding and cooperation at this critical phase of Naga history. The accomplishment of this issue will resolutely decide the fate and future of Naga students. The NSF appeals to all Nagas to support the historic decision of the South Nagas to break away from the yoke of suppression and to establish its right to affiliate with NBSE.
With all hope
From the Naga Students’ Federation
