In conversation : Former Speaker Zhovehu Lohe
"60 MLAs cannot shift blame to any other for existing mess"
# We are set to bid good bye to the year 2024, which area of governance according to you should get priority in 2025 from the perspective of Nagaland and the entire north east India ?
Z Lohe :
I have lost the zeal to be active in pursuance of remedy to our problems. We have become a dormant community waiting for only destruction. Nobody actually bothers about the welfare of the common man. It is simply disappointing.
But l am glad that you have asked this.
We, Nagas of Nagaland have lost many moments to decide our future. Indeed we have lost the sense of responsibility as we have miserably failed to shoulder our given task.
Our failure is tragic and it reminds me of a verse in the Holy Bible in the book of Lamentations 5:7 "Our fathers sinned and are no more, but we (children) will bear their iniquities". We have no one else to blame other than ourselves.
# But public leaders should speak out. Your civil society has been so vibrant, traditional and strong?
Z Lohe:
These are good words to keep ourselves happy. The fact is different. But please keep it in mind, we might have lost the moment. But the momentum is still there fortunately and we should not lose it mid-way.On this I am with you. We should retain and regain our vibrancy... Civil society should always be active.
# What has brought this stage. I cannot say Nagaland was 'heaven' in the 1990s. There were challenges; but people debated and opposed things... Even when Congress lost power and some of you were not even MLAs; things were not as they are today.
Lohe :
The concept of Opposition-less government is antithesis to democracy. Practically, the present form of Govt is as good as no government. This type of governance is bereft of accountability of the people in Govt to the public. The democratic system of check and balance is under lock and key.
Even when certain decision or action of the Govt is detrimental to public interest, there is none to question within or without.
Yet, the major factor that generated the kind a situation in Nagaland is the terrible dishonesty of voters during elections. The accountability of the elected members is purchased at a very high cost, and it is the root of all evils in the state.
Nevertheless, the elected members must not be vindictive by destroying the state because 60 members cannot shift the blame to any other for the consequences of the existing mess.
# Well put, you are always articulate. Any comment on the Naga issue and the evasive Solution ?
Lohe:
Well, the NSCN (IM) is scared of political Solution. I want to be very blunt. Secondly, the opposition- less Govt, is expert in lending lip service to the Naga public on the issue of political Solution. To these people, non-solution is solution. To these people, the existing imbroglio of decades is their paradise at the expense of the gullible public in Nagaland.
Yet to the advantage of these authorities, the public bodies are either venal or timid to venture out and work for the public.
Nagas may be wrong, but New Delhi also must uphold the truth and must listen to the ground truth. People want Solution and so Delhi should not be swayed by people who propagate falsehood.
# So you are not willing to give up the pessimism. Look at Mr S C Jamir, he is still fighting on. He keeps meeting central leaders, lectures students and issues press statements.
Lohe: Well, people in Nagaland prefer falsehood to truth. Whoever upholds and promotes truth is hated. Dr.S C Jamir speaks the truth.
We are fortunate to have him today as God grants him a long life to admonish the younger generations with truth; whereas there are people who are allergic to truth.
And therefore whenever truth is unveiled, falsehood is smoked-out.
Being a christian, I believe what the Bible says; in the Gospel of John 8:32 - "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free".
The people in Nagaland are in the bondage of falsehood. As long as we refuse to accept the truth, we will remain in this prison; only when we accept the truth we shall become free.
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| S C Jamir : 93 plus and 'fighting strong' |
ends
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