Dr Asangba Tzudir
In a society that comes with diverse political, cultural, social, religious and special interest groups, the ‘will of the citizens’ is integral to the enforcement of social norms towards the realization of the interests and welfare of the community. Coming to be known as the third sector, the role of civil society as a body if resistance is one of paramount importance today especially in the context of the need to build a cohesive society.
Looking at the politics of the day and the issues of (mis)governance, it finds located in the domain of ‘governed’ and being controlled. On the religious front, looking at the religious fabric of the society, truth be told, it seems to be trapped in symbolism and not the ‘truth’, that it has lost its binding force and thereby its cohesiveness. While on the aspect of culture, the cultural identity which serves as a distinctive marker seems to have dissolved within the hybridity. The interest groups have only paved the way for many individualistic interests and thereby disconnected from the collective interest. All these and more, presents a myriad of challenges in the building of a cohesive society.
As such, the status of civil societies in Nagaland, presents a marked failure of a sustained ‘voice of dissent’ on pressing issues of welfare and facets of identity and which highlights the absence of a strong and dynamic civil society in Nagaland. This takes us to the question of its objectivity, existence and relevance. Posited in a space between the state and the citizens or peoples, but without the collective will for the well being of everyone, it will only reverberate and respond to its own interests pushed by individual gains while legitimating the unprecedented power of those who ‘govern’ and thereby control. It cannot act on the will of the citizens so long as it is part of the ‘system’ to those who ‘govern’ and control.
Yet, there are constraints within which civil societies come into play – the lack of a democratic space. This curtails its free functioning and which is further crippled by the general apathetic attitude of the masses. Under which circumstances, the creation of growth and developmental models becomes difficult. Whatever the constraints, the articulation of a language of welfare is paramount to the credibility and meaningful presence of a civil society. Further, it is also the case that the issues are not tabled where there can be merited discussion and dialogue in addressing the collective will and welfare. However, it is also confronted by the problem of too many perspectives and interests and shallow social norms.
In the building of a cohesive society, civil societies needs to become a part of a larger strategy and create religious, social, cultural and political models through which it can intervene on issues that lie at the heart of the welfare and well-being of the people ensuring the rise and development of everyone in the society. This brings us to a very important aspect of civil society which is governance. This is where civil societies can intervene on the issues of (mis)governance by creating and engaging in efforts through which the people can experience a shift from being ‘governed’ and ‘controlled’ to a state of being ‘governed-less’ but ‘governed-better.’
Intervention on such issues contributes to the creation of greater awareness thereby making a people and the society well informed. Also, the civil societies need to break free from the shackles of ‘self-enclosed narrow dividing lines’ and come together with a common cause for the liberation of the society so also provide clear direction while playing the role both as a facilitator and a regulator. The role of civil society as change agents, as civic organisations, as organisations based on political, social, religious and cultural identity, as promoters of democracy and human values of justice and equity must come alive to the impending realities and start the process of rebuilding a fragmented society. Therein lie the larger question of integrity and identity as a people.
(Dr Asangba Tzudir writes guest editorial for The Morung Express. Comments can be emailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
