The name ‘Theyiechüthie’ will not be familiar to most of the readers. In fact, you are most probably coming across this name for the first time in your life. Well, for your information, Theyiechüthie hailed from the western Angami village of Khonoma. He was a true Naga patriot, a visionary leader and one of the first graduates among the Angami people. He is mostly known for the role he played as the General-Secretary of the NNC (Naga National Council) in the 1950’s.
T. Sakhrie, as he is most commonly known, was not only the youngest among the NNC leaders but, being a graduate, he was also the most qualified. Therefore, it was no surprise that his knowledge and service was often needed by the other NNC leaders specially while dealing with the Indian leaders and representatives of those times.
Even today, when one reads his letters of correspondence with the Indian leaders, one can clearly see the political wisdom of the young leader. After 1947 when the Nagas became entangled with India over their political future, what the Nagas needed was a man with sound academic/educational qualifications and diplomatic communication skills. And Theyiechüthie was a man who was certainly up to the job.
But everything came to an end on a cold January evening in 1956, when the life of this young promising leader was abruptly put to a cruel end. The murder of Theyiechüthie in January 1956 becomes most unfortunate and heart-breaking when we realize that he was murdered not by the Indian army, as was the case for many during those years, but by some of his own Naga brothers on mere suspicion, mistrust and apprehension.
One version has it that Theyiechüthie was on his way to a neighboring village that January evening to meet a girl with whom he had been having courtship when he was confronted by a group of his own Naga brothers. It is said that this group of people did not even give him an opportunity to argue his stand or to correct his mistakes if he had committed any. He was murdered then and there. Theyiechüthie was probably only around 30 years old.
It is also said that after this sad episode, the woman with whom Theyiechüthie had been having courtship (and was probably planning to marry) composed a poem dedicated to the short life and memory of her beloved fallen hero. I myself have not heard or read this poem (composed probably in Tenyiedie). But I certainly would like to hear or read it if I could find someone who could recite it to me or if I could get a copy of the poem.
In this article, I do not want to write about who killed Theyiechüthie as I have no right to accuse anybody for something that happened more than 20 years before I was even born. I also do not want to be judgmental by writing in detail why, according to the perpetrators of this crime, he had to die.
However, here I would certainly like to share my opinion with the readers. The Naga people declared their independence on 14th August 1947. But the Indian government did not acknowledge this declaration by the Nagas. Therefore, to make it known to the world in general and India in particular that the Nagas and Naga lands are not a part of the new independent India, the NNC conducted the famous plebiscite on 16th May 1951 wherein 99.9% of the Naga population gave their consent for a fully independent and sovereign Nagaland. The Indian government led by Jawaharlal Nehru also refused to acknowledge this plebiscite conducted on 16th May 1951. And by 1954, Indian army soldiers numbering in their thousands began to move into the Naga hills. However, during these years of the 1950’s, the spirit of Naga nationalism and patriotism continued unabated.
It was at a time like this that Theyiechüthie must have made some statements that were not in tune with the spirit of Naga nationalism and patriotism sweeping across the Naga hills during those years. Theyiechüthie probably came out with the idea and feeling that the Nagas and their future would not be in jeopardy even if they agree to be a part and parcel of the new independent India. Such a statement by a prominent leader of the NNC at a time when the spirit of Naga nationalism and patriotism was at its peak certainly did not go well with majority of the Nagas who were all out for an independent and sovereign Nagaland. Thus, for some of these Nagas Theyiechüthie suddenly became a traitor who had to be eliminated. I believe this was the reason behind the unfortunate and painful murder of this young leader.
Of course, I myself do not identify with these ideas and statements of Theyiechüthie which certainly came at the wrong time. But I also believe that a man of his caliber should have been given a second chance.
Now, one may ask what is so worth writing or appreciable about a man like Theyiechüthie who lived just a short life and had been murdered more than half a century ago. Yes, Theyiechüthie was a graduate but not a graduate from Oxford or Cambridge. Theyiechüthie was also neither a man who had royal blood flowing through his veins nor was he a man who contributed so much to our society or its people that his contributions can still be seen today. He was also not the richest or the most qualified man of his times. No, Theyiechüthie Sakhrie was none of these.
But Theyiechüthie’s contribution lies in the fact that at a very crucial and delicate time in Naga history he did his part by rising to what the situation demanded of him. When the colonial Britishers withdrew from the Indian sub-continent, Theyiechüthie did not sit at home with folded arms and see the world around him change before his very eyes. He was brave enough and wise enough to make an enquiry into the hearts and minds of his people as to what they want. He enquired whether the Nagas would prefer to live as Indians or remain as Nagas.
When the message became loud and clear that the Nagas prefer to remain as Nagas, Theyiechüthie made a commitment to himself to bring about the realization of his people’s aspirations – a commitment for which he had to pay dearly with his own life.
Now, let me make a comparison here by mentioning about the legendary Indian patriot Bhagat Singh. By the time a Naga student passes out his HSLC examination, he will be well acquainted with the life, philosophy and martyrdom of Bhagat Singh. Bhagat Singh along with his two accomplices Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged by the colonial British government on 23rd March 1931. From the historical accounts that we have, it is clear that Bhagat Singh must really have been an inspirational figure to his generation. The records say that Bhagat Singh was unmarried and only about 29 years old at the time of his death.
I have nothing against Naga children studying about Bhagat Singh in schools. For if Bhagat Singh was an inspiration to his generation, there is no reason why Naga children should lose anything by reading or studying about this Indian patriot.
But I also ask “What is the harm if our school students also read and study about Theyiechüthie in their school classrooms?” In fact, the degree of attachment can be much greater here. Theyiechüthie was not a man who wore dhoti and lived in the faraway plains of Northern India braving the unrelenting heat. He lived amongst our grandfathers, fathers, uncles and aunties breathing the same air and drinking the same water which we breathe and drink today. If our Naga students are also made to study about persons like Theyiechüthie in their schools, it is sure to bring about hitherto unrealized realizations in them. Indeed it is really sad that Naga school children never come across names like Theyiechüthie even once in their school tex tbooks.
Because, after all is said and done, the possibilities remain that Nagaland could have been a very different place to live in, if visionary leaders like Theyiechüthie Sakhrie were not murdered in their prime but were allowed to live a longer and more satisfying life……
T. Sakhrie, as he is most commonly known, was not only the youngest among the NNC leaders but, being a graduate, he was also the most qualified. Therefore, it was no surprise that his knowledge and service was often needed by the other NNC leaders specially while dealing with the Indian leaders and representatives of those times.
Even today, when one reads his letters of correspondence with the Indian leaders, one can clearly see the political wisdom of the young leader. After 1947 when the Nagas became entangled with India over their political future, what the Nagas needed was a man with sound academic/educational qualifications and diplomatic communication skills. And Theyiechüthie was a man who was certainly up to the job.
But everything came to an end on a cold January evening in 1956, when the life of this young promising leader was abruptly put to a cruel end. The murder of Theyiechüthie in January 1956 becomes most unfortunate and heart-breaking when we realize that he was murdered not by the Indian army, as was the case for many during those years, but by some of his own Naga brothers on mere suspicion, mistrust and apprehension.
One version has it that Theyiechüthie was on his way to a neighboring village that January evening to meet a girl with whom he had been having courtship when he was confronted by a group of his own Naga brothers. It is said that this group of people did not even give him an opportunity to argue his stand or to correct his mistakes if he had committed any. He was murdered then and there. Theyiechüthie was probably only around 30 years old.
It is also said that after this sad episode, the woman with whom Theyiechüthie had been having courtship (and was probably planning to marry) composed a poem dedicated to the short life and memory of her beloved fallen hero. I myself have not heard or read this poem (composed probably in Tenyiedie). But I certainly would like to hear or read it if I could find someone who could recite it to me or if I could get a copy of the poem.
In this article, I do not want to write about who killed Theyiechüthie as I have no right to accuse anybody for something that happened more than 20 years before I was even born. I also do not want to be judgmental by writing in detail why, according to the perpetrators of this crime, he had to die.
However, here I would certainly like to share my opinion with the readers. The Naga people declared their independence on 14th August 1947. But the Indian government did not acknowledge this declaration by the Nagas. Therefore, to make it known to the world in general and India in particular that the Nagas and Naga lands are not a part of the new independent India, the NNC conducted the famous plebiscite on 16th May 1951 wherein 99.9% of the Naga population gave their consent for a fully independent and sovereign Nagaland. The Indian government led by Jawaharlal Nehru also refused to acknowledge this plebiscite conducted on 16th May 1951. And by 1954, Indian army soldiers numbering in their thousands began to move into the Naga hills. However, during these years of the 1950’s, the spirit of Naga nationalism and patriotism continued unabated.
It was at a time like this that Theyiechüthie must have made some statements that were not in tune with the spirit of Naga nationalism and patriotism sweeping across the Naga hills during those years. Theyiechüthie probably came out with the idea and feeling that the Nagas and their future would not be in jeopardy even if they agree to be a part and parcel of the new independent India. Such a statement by a prominent leader of the NNC at a time when the spirit of Naga nationalism and patriotism was at its peak certainly did not go well with majority of the Nagas who were all out for an independent and sovereign Nagaland. Thus, for some of these Nagas Theyiechüthie suddenly became a traitor who had to be eliminated. I believe this was the reason behind the unfortunate and painful murder of this young leader.
Of course, I myself do not identify with these ideas and statements of Theyiechüthie which certainly came at the wrong time. But I also believe that a man of his caliber should have been given a second chance.
Now, one may ask what is so worth writing or appreciable about a man like Theyiechüthie who lived just a short life and had been murdered more than half a century ago. Yes, Theyiechüthie was a graduate but not a graduate from Oxford or Cambridge. Theyiechüthie was also neither a man who had royal blood flowing through his veins nor was he a man who contributed so much to our society or its people that his contributions can still be seen today. He was also not the richest or the most qualified man of his times. No, Theyiechüthie Sakhrie was none of these.
But Theyiechüthie’s contribution lies in the fact that at a very crucial and delicate time in Naga history he did his part by rising to what the situation demanded of him. When the colonial Britishers withdrew from the Indian sub-continent, Theyiechüthie did not sit at home with folded arms and see the world around him change before his very eyes. He was brave enough and wise enough to make an enquiry into the hearts and minds of his people as to what they want. He enquired whether the Nagas would prefer to live as Indians or remain as Nagas.
When the message became loud and clear that the Nagas prefer to remain as Nagas, Theyiechüthie made a commitment to himself to bring about the realization of his people’s aspirations – a commitment for which he had to pay dearly with his own life.
Now, let me make a comparison here by mentioning about the legendary Indian patriot Bhagat Singh. By the time a Naga student passes out his HSLC examination, he will be well acquainted with the life, philosophy and martyrdom of Bhagat Singh. Bhagat Singh along with his two accomplices Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged by the colonial British government on 23rd March 1931. From the historical accounts that we have, it is clear that Bhagat Singh must really have been an inspirational figure to his generation. The records say that Bhagat Singh was unmarried and only about 29 years old at the time of his death.
I have nothing against Naga children studying about Bhagat Singh in schools. For if Bhagat Singh was an inspiration to his generation, there is no reason why Naga children should lose anything by reading or studying about this Indian patriot.
But I also ask “What is the harm if our school students also read and study about Theyiechüthie in their school classrooms?” In fact, the degree of attachment can be much greater here. Theyiechüthie was not a man who wore dhoti and lived in the faraway plains of Northern India braving the unrelenting heat. He lived amongst our grandfathers, fathers, uncles and aunties breathing the same air and drinking the same water which we breathe and drink today. If our Naga students are also made to study about persons like Theyiechüthie in their schools, it is sure to bring about hitherto unrealized realizations in them. Indeed it is really sad that Naga school children never come across names like Theyiechüthie even once in their school tex tbooks.
Because, after all is said and done, the possibilities remain that Nagaland could have been a very different place to live in, if visionary leaders like Theyiechüthie Sakhrie were not murdered in their prime but were allowed to live a longer and more satisfying life……
