Morung Express News
Jotsoma | May 24
Former Odisha Governor and five times Nagaland State Chief Minister, Dr SC Jamir today cautioned that factionalism will only harm the Naga cause, and therefore highlighted the need for a single united voice for the Naga people who the Government of India can pay attention to and understand “what we say and what we want to do.”
“I still feel that we must have that united Naga voice. I am very happy that the UGs have come together now for a solution of the Naga problem. We hope that they will not fail the Naga people at his very critical juncture,” he remarked while discussing the Naga political settlement during an interaction with students of Nagaland University at RCEMPA, Jotsoma on May 24. Jamir was the guest speaker at the Nagaland University Students’ Union’s 26th Annual Parting Social.
He meanwhile also stated that “in a democracy, if the future of the people is to be decided it should be with the knowledge and consent of the people for whom it is meant.”
Jamir interacted with the students on issues ranging from the Naga political talks to personal challenges as a public leader during the interactive session.
The veteran politician was of the view that anything signed in the presence of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister of India cannot be a sovereign matter. “It will be an agreement or document which will be within the Indian Union or within the Constitution of India. Yes, there might be some safeguards in the agreement but it cannot be above the Constitution of India,” he stated, while expressing hope that the Government of India offers the best for the benefit of the Naga people.
Jamir also pointed out crucial issues to be remembered when the settlement arrives. Firstly, he advocated that Nagas must acknowledge the struggles of the people involved in the Naga political movement, especially those who have “spent the best of their lives in the jungle.”
“Secondly, whatever is accepted, whatever is given by the GoI shall have to be implemented in both letter and spirit and with transparency. No one should exploit this for individual benefit. Thirdly it requires the collective wisdom of all the Naga people to ensure that we build up a bright future,” he added.
Jamir further viewed that anybody engaged in the political dialogue or political issue should keep abreast their thinking in cue with the world’s situation. Replying to a question raised by a student on the issue of impracticality of a sovereign Naga nation because of the constant tribalism and factionalism, Jamir stated that in the modern world, “economic muscle is counted as independence and therefore Nagas should at all cost ensure that we build up our economic muscles in order to strengthen our economy.”
Economic advancement and economic development, he viewed, are the priorities today. “Therefore we have to now fully concentrate on the economic development,” he maintained.
Jamir meanwhile stated that in politics “there is no retirement at all.” “Secondly politics never sleeps. But for me, I will remain as advisor. I don’t like to involve myself in electoral politics. I am not an active member of the negotiating party and therefore as a Naga whenever my services are required on advisory capacity, I am prepared to enter,” replied Jamir to questions asked by students on whether there is a possibility of him entering politics again.
Jamir was also asked whether the present political system in Nagaland could have been different if he was the Chief Minister of the state. To this, Jamir replied: “When I was in Chief Minister, I was strictly following the constitutional authority entrusted on me by Naga electorates. I upheld the sanctity of the Constitution of India because I was functioning under the Constitution of India on oath, owing allegiance to the Government of India.
Rule of law is the guiding principle of any democratic society, and therefore I have been upholding this basic principle in governing our State during my time.”
