Gwangphun Gangmei
Social Research Activist
The supposed Naga solution in public view is perceived differently from what was intended by the Naga Nationalist organization. Now the concept of the so-called Naga solution is tending to find it within the Union of India. The Naga solution from the perspective of India and the Nagas are pole apart. The Nagas’ struggle is basically for a free nation like India and any nations of the world. India attained her freedom from the British domination on 15th August 1947. Nagas were left to be as they were before, as per the demand of the Naga club of 1929. Nagas declared themselves Independent on 14th August 1947 a day ahead of India’s. India started to apply and imposed her policies; Military and political strategies on the Nagas and their land. Subsequently, the Indo-Naga conflict rooted deep to last even to this day. Observed that, the current pressure for early solution without Naga National constitution and flag is no solution at all but a delusion. It is a pressure measure of India upon the Nagas to merge in to the Union of India.
The pressures spellbinding the Nagas in dilemma today is either to accept the planned solution of India or to drop the cease-fire made for Indo-Naga talk. Solution as currently viewed is controversial to the Nagas. Nagas are different from Indian by race, culture and traditional beliefs and by their ancestral domain. In the word of Jawaharlal Nehru in his article in Deccan Chronicle on 11/8/1960 stated, “Naga area is a separate entity. This Naga area has been separated the entity for the last few years. It has been a completely separated entity” Despite the fact, India keeps insisting and imposing their rule on the Nagas. This is the most singular reason that has dragged the Indo-Naga talk to this day and the talk is hanging in a balance. Now many Nagas are expressing their desire to accept whatever solution India is ready and willing to give, because they feel that they are fed up of Naga Underground activities and that divided Nagas cannot make an inclusive Naga solution. Many Nagas are not concern about Nagas rights. They only want a solution not even realizing a far-flung repercussion that could sweep away the whole Naga race, identity and the future hope of generation.
The grim scenario of the Naga society today is that, many Indian-Nagas and politicians have been long subjected to Indian political power and system. They speak and think in term of India and for India. Whereas, many Naga leaders and publics think and hope that the Naga solution, i.e. Independence will be realized out of the Indo-Naga talk in progress. Hope differs. Solution differs. Two parties; India and Nagas differ in their expectations. Nagas are made confused and tired by India and Nagas themselves. The Nagaland state Government and its assembly members and politicians speaks with double connotations; one for Nagas and the other for India. They call themselves as facilitators. They are seen as balancing the talk and never definite either for India or Nagas. They see more of the Indian way of solution and less for the Nagas. This is the state of current affairs of the Naga society. Further observes that, many civil society leaders are also outspokenly expressing their rhetoric version of opinionated ideologies not definite either for Nagas or India.
The Present Naga representative leaders, both Naga nationalists and the professed Facilitators of the state government and legislative forum are of divided positions on the subject of issues. One for Nagas’ independent and the other for merging in to the union of India. The subject of the talk is over-turned and re-coining the terms and tone of the Indo-Naga talk. Some Naga politicians and leaders including the state legislators are giving negatives impression to the Nagas in open medias saying that “Sovereignty, flag and constitution are impossible”, which is equal to signalling that Nagas’ merging in to the Union of India is the only possible solution. That Nagas’ national identity will merge to that of Indian national identity. It appears that the proposed solution of India is the only best way possible to settle the Nagas issue. Many Nagas thinks that the Framework agreement or Agreed position is a better deal than the 16Points Agreement of 1960. Many Naga leaders feel that the Naga cause is not worth fighting for and opting to admit the defeat; denouncing the Nagas cause and rights by accepting whatever India has planned to give to the Nagas. The fate of the Nagas will be determined by the current nature and progress of Indo-Naga solution talk. Naga publics observes that, the present Naga solution approach either by Frame-work Agreement or Agreed position are both Indian tempered policies like 9 Point agreement of 1947, 16 Points Agreement of 1960s, Shillong resolutions as Shillong Accord of 1975. All agreements made so far could not resolve or settle the Nagas’ case. Whereas, the history, the origin and the rights of the Nagas as a people distinct from the people of India remains strong and tall that India without military force and political logic cannot not settle. If India could settle Nagas’ case, it could only be done by force means against the Nagas’ rights or leave the Nagas case to the Nagas themselves. India asserts and holds that the only possible settlement would be of force-union. Opine that Nagas should hold back the talk and refrain from the present offered solution and save the Nagas from the impending downfall.
Despite some Nagas who works for India, to accept the offered solution, there are still many who remain strong as Non-Indian Nagas who will take up the torch of Naga national cause forward if the current talk failed. Reasoned that, the Nagas are divided by opinions and ideological differences on Naga Nationality. The Divided Nagas are good reasons and ground position for India to play their occupational politic, imposing their wilful assertion upon the Nagas through the many subscribed Indian-Nagas. Many Nagas are spelling words of impatience and resentments in open spaces and medias; blaming the Naga nationalists for dragging the case for too long. But what and who are responsible for the matter to be blamed? The Naga Nationalists, Naga Indian politicians or Naga publics? Or India? Every civic Naga knows that, it is the divided Nagas at home that the rights of the Nagas could not be well-placed before India. The two Nagas; Indian Nagas and the true Nagas at war are the reasons to be blamed for the current level of hurdles that has dragged and drowned the Indo-Naga political issues. The Nagas who are party to India will continue to roar and roast louder with their oratory or rhetoric vocal to persuade the Nagas for early solution whatever India is ready to do it. The NSCN-K (Niki Sumi) group has yet to bring out their position on the possibility of Naga Solution. Their silence over the current talk may mean good for the Nagas. Let us reconsider the whole matter in the light of truth and for the next Naga generation before taking a further step ahead. The sooner or longer the Nagas’ case may take, the identity, the rights and the aspiration of the Nagas must not be compromised or bartered for settling the Naga Political issues.
The current talk, bargaining on the issues of Naga flag and constitution is a needless creation put into the parley for diverting or complicating the progress of the talk. The issue is to be decided by the will of the Nagas after the solution. The issue is seen as the subtle art of R.N. Ravi, former Indo-Naga Interlocutor and Governor of Nagaland to puzzle and muzzle the Nagas. Reasoned and well understood that India has its own flag and constitution so also the Nagas without any external interference or question. Restricting the use of one’s own symbolic flag is nothing but a direct willful imposition of suppressive rule or a policy to destroy the peoples’ history and their political rights.
The Indo-Naga case may take more time till India realize and quit the Nagas. When both India and Nagas resolve to co-exist with due respect and recognition of each other’s rights, position and identities. Nagas must stand on their position as AZ Phizo did in matter of dealing with India as a different national entity. The present Naga national leaders must remain true to the Nagas’ cause as did Jadonang who stood to his principle and the cause till his last. No power on earth can subdue the will of the people who stand their ground on the principle of truth. Abraham Lincoln proved the fact, “One man with the truth is majority” Nagas must not give up their hard-earned historical rights and value of their identity as a distinct people. It is better to close the Indo-Naga talk than for the Nagas to subscribe or succumb to Indian politics that will forever close the Naga chapter.
