Scripture, which is God’s word, tell us that we should obey governments and its laws. It goes so far as to say that civil governments are established by God to dispense his laws and justice in the fallen world (Romans 13: 1-7). In Luke 20:25 Jesus also tells us that we should render “unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s.”
Now rendering unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and obeying government laws must also mean casting our votes when an elections is taking place in our land. Indeed as responsible Christians, we should see to it that responsible man of integrity should be voted to power so that God’s justice can be dispensed in our lands.
But the question in the context of Nagaland is one where we have to ask: “Is this government in our land, a government set up in accordance to the laws of God or a government set up by the invading forces of India in collaboration with some selfish Nagas who have sold away Naga national rights to a Naga national government of their own? Another related question would be; when God’s word says that man has been created in the image of God- where even one individual soul is more precious than the whole world (see Mathew 16:26)- can Nagas vote for an imposed government that sanctions that even a Sergeant can give the firing order to shoot a Naga to death even on mere suspicion? (See Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Section 4. (1){a}). Of course besides the AFSPA, there are also other equally heinous Indian laws in our land like Assam Maintenance of Public Order Act 1953; Disturbed Area act 1955 etc where the Governor can give orders to uproot entire villages from one place to another according to his own opinion and whims of law and order situation in Nagaland!
Now, in the light of all these prevailing facts and realities in our land, I do not know with what Christian convictions, my fellow Nagas are so enthusiastically voting for Indian elections in Nagaland. But as far as I am concerned, far from voting for such an election to establish such an illegal government in my land, I on the contrary, feel that it is my Christian duty to oppose such elections for the establishment of such governments in my country.
I also wonder whether, if the British, during their Colonial period in India, had conducted British elections in India for the perpetuation of their unjust government, would Gandhi’s and Nerhru’s too have voted with enthusiasm and passionate British spirit of patriotism for those British elections in India? After all, the colonial British government in India was not an Indian mandated government but a government of invasion and occupation.
In today’s Morung Express Feb. 20, 2013, Pastor Shan in his article “Sharing a few thoughts on election” had written: “Your vote is more than just a vote. It represents your beliefs, your values and your life.” As each Naga Christian goes to cast his vote in a now-even NBCC recognized elections-I wonder what their votes would be representing.
As for me, I will only cast my vote-or even contest as a candidate- only when a just and legal Naga government is finally established in Nagaland.
Kaka D. Iralu
